to the
executioner before the sun set.

Through all these changes of demeanour I adhered to the firm conduct I
had at first taken up, and by never permitting the tyrant to see that
I feared him, succeeded time after time in damping his frenzy. At the
same time I acquired the friendship and esteem of some of the most
considerable persons of his Court, particularly Roy Dullub, the dewan
already mentioned, and the famous Meer Jaffier. My hold on the
friendship of this distinguished Moor was strengthened by an incident
which I am about to relate.

As soon as the rainy season was over, which lasted till the month of
October, Surajah Dowlah marched out with his army into the country of
Purneah, for the purpose of attacking his cousin, who was Phouzdar of
that territory. The young Nabob bore a great hatred to this relation
of his, and had frequently announced his intention of destroying him
as soon as the weather should permit of his moving against him. At the
head of the army, as usual, was the general, Meer Jaffier, and at my
earnest request I was allowed to accompany him as one of his train.

We arrived at length, after a tedious march, at the foot of some
hills, on the slope of which the Phouzdar's army lay encamped. Our own
force was much more numerous, but the Phouzdar's position being a
very strong one the Meer judged it not prudent to make an attack till
he had had an opportunity of thoroughly examining the ground. With
this view he chose out a small party, of whom I was one, and departed
secretly from the camp at sunset, to explore the enemy's
neighbourhood.

The distance between the two armies was not very great; as near as I
could judge it was about three miles. But we had no guide to direct
us, and lost our way in the darkness, getting entangled first in the
wood, and afterwards among a network of small, deep streams, too broad
to jump, and dangerous to wade on account of the steepness of their
banks and the slippery boulders with which their beds were strewn. So
long did it take us to extricate ourselves out of these difficulties
that when the sun rose we found ourselves close to the Phouzdar's
camp, and within full view of his army. We turned to retreat, but at
the same time a loud halloo was raised behind us, and a troop of
horsemen, with waving ensigns and steel accoutrements shining in the
sun, dashed out from the enemy's ranks and rode down upon us.

Meer Jaffier at once gave the order to face round, an