A TRANSLATION OP THE KEDDA II ANNALS. 324 
the order to return home he became enraged, and his face 
grew red like the colour of the boonga rayd ( 1 ) while he 
exclaimed,—In what game have I ever been foiled? and in 
what battle have I ever been worsted ? or in what day of 
battle and slaughtering have I ever turned my back on thy 
master Kalahom ? It is not right, is it, that I should be 
Raja of Kedda? If I cannot become its Raja by fair 
means, I will do so at the point of my iveapons. I cannot for 
a moment think of retracing my march, for it would be 
an unusual proceeding and unworthy of one born of a man to 
shew his back; on the contrary I must go forward. Tell 
then thy chief that if he shall attempt to stop, and intercept 
us on this our march to Kedda, let him come forth on 
the plain and give battle, and try us, and see how we can 
thrust and stab. Whether thy master may chuse to-morrow 
or to-day, is immaterial to us, he may please himself, we 
shall be ready to receive him, for we have come for the 
sole purpose of seeking occasions for fighting and proving 
the strength of our arms. 
Kalahom could hardly repress his indignation at the in¬ 
solence of Kalana Hetam. But as his force was too small 
to allow him to accept the challenge, he forthwith en¬ 
trenched himself, and at the same time sent orders to the 
Rajas of the several provinces nearest to him , to collect 
their contingents w r ith all speed and join him, which was 
accomplished. He then directed Phra Ong Surin, who 
was the son of a Raja, to assume charge of the force and 
at certain hours of the night to send out patroles, and to 
proceed round the fort, making a loud noise, by shouting 
and beating of gongs, drums, and other noisy instruments. 
The circuit having thus been nightly thrice performed, 
the patroles stopped at a certain place where Phra Surin 
res'ed on a high seat. Kalana Hetam hearing the noisy 
invitation to try his strength with Kalahom, imitated his 
example, and the uproar was astounding. It ceased not 
until the Lady Queen Shuhrin had retired to repose in her 
palace in the west, and the king of the world seated on his 
throne had given audience on the edge of the horizon. 
Then poured forth the hosts of both Generals on the plain, 
where each formed his line. 
Kalahom first directed Phra Ong Surin to arrange the 
order of battle. So he placed in their proper positions all 
the Rajas, champions, chiefs and warriors; classed under 
(' ) Hibiscus rosa sinensis —L. Hibiscus malvarosa Bat. Trans, vol. V. 
(MarBd. Dicy.p 144 ) 
