[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Persian and Urdu literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab) › [Jawāmiʿ al-ḥikāyāt wa lawāmiʿ al-riwāyāt](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat) › [Jami'u-l Hikayat (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot) › 26 # Jawamiʿ al-hikayat wa lawamiʿ al-riwayat 26: Mahmúd's return from Somnát. \[I. xii. 16.\] Jámi'u-l Hikáyát (extracts) 26 - **Language:** English ### [26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot.26) A stratagem similar to that narrated in the last story was employed when Sultán Yamínu-d daula was returning from Somnát. Two Hindus came to him and offered themselves as guides. They led the way for three days and conducted him into a desert where there was neither water nor grass. The Sultán asked them what kind of road they called that by which they had come, and whether there were any habitations in the neighbourhood? They replied that they had been commissioned by the Rai, their chief, and had fearlessly devoted themselves to the work of bringing him thither. "Now you have," continued they, "the sea (daryá 'azím) before you, and the army of Hind behind. We have done our business, now do you do with us what you like, for not one single man of your army will escape." In the midst of this conversation, a water-fowl was suddenly seen flying in the air. The Sultán said, where there are water-fowl there must be sweet water, and proceeded after it. At length he reached the banks of a great river, the water of which was very brackish and quite unfit to drink. He was in this plight when he perceived another water-fowl, he followed it up and came to a village in which they discovered sweet water. He then ordered a suitable punishment to be inflicted on the two guides. Upon searching the village they found an 'Alawí (descendant of 'Alí) who was dwelling there with his family. They asked him if he knew the road, but he declared his ignorance, adding that there was an old man in another village who knew all the intricacies of the roads. The Sultán then had the 'Alawí and his sons mounted on camels, and went with them to the village mentioned. He called the old man before him and inquired where the ford was. The old man said he had never seen any one cross the river excepting on one occasion when it was crossed by a body of men, but the place where they passed he could not tell. Had he strength to walk, perhaps he might find it out. On this the Sultán ordered him to be placed on horseback, and the old man led them to a certain spot on the bank of the river, when he said, I think this was the place where the passage was made. The Sultán sent some men into the river, but nowhere did they find it fordable. The Sultán, casting himself upon the protection of Providence, regardless of himself and fearless of the consequences, with the name of God upon his tongue, urged his horse into the stream. His whole army and all his attendants followed his example, and, with the assistance of God, crossed the water in safety. This was one of the many marvellous deeds of the Sultán, in which also the treachery of the infidels became evident to all men. - [Previous: 25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot.25) - [Next: 27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot.27) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot.26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.adab.jawami-al-hikayat~en-elliot.26) · Pramāṇa