The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.9.7

3.9.7

Sher Khan received him with all honour and hospitality, and using every endeavour to assure him, and making the utmost protestations of friendship and good feeling, said, "If Lad Malika gives me up the fort and will marry me, I shall be for ever indebted to your kindness." And Sher Khan thus having employed himself in captivating the bud of his heart by kindness, Mir Dad said, "It is not fit to surrender the fort except to the king; but since I have come to you, you have shown me such kindness and goodwill, and have displayed such hospitality, that I have considered nothing but how, in return for this, to get the fort into your power. I will not fail to use my best exertions to this end. My hope in God is, that Lad Malika will not dissent from what I say; but when the business is performed to your heart's content, do not so act as to disgrace me." Sher Khan swearing everything he wished, assured him and said, "While I live I will never cause you grief. * * * Mir Dad recommended that they should start at once, and Sher Khan mounting with all haste set off. Mir Dad went on before and gave intelligence that Sher Khan was coming, and urged them not to delay giving up the fort, and got Lad Malika and his brothers to consent. So Mir Dad was sent back to bring in Sher Khan quickly, and to take possession of the fort before the sons of Taj Khan should be aware of their designs.