Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.15.6

2.15.6

having a march of five-and-thirty days to accomplish through the territories of Rajas, friends or allies of Jessomseingue, and closely pressed by the eager Aureng-Zebe at the head of a fresh and numerous army? 'It is better,' he said, 'to die at once the death of a soldier; the contest is sadly unequal, but on this spot I must conquer or perish.' He did not, however, comprehend the full extent of his danger: treason was lurking where he least expected it; and he continued to confide in the perfidious Chah-Navaze-kan, who kept up a regular correspondence with Aureng-Zebe, putting him in possession of all Daras designs. As a just retribution for his faithlessness, this man was slain in the battle, either by the hand of Dara himself, or, as is thought more probable, by the swords of persons in Aureng-Zebe's army, who, being the secret partisans of Dara, felt apprehensive that Chah-Navaze-kan would denounce them, and make mention of the letters they had been in the habit of writing to that Prince. But what now availed the death of the traitor? It was from the first moment of his taking possession of Ahmedabad that Dara ought to have listened to the sage advice of his best friends and treated Chah-Navaze with the contempt and distrust he merited.