Storia do Mogor 134.7

134.7

Shah 'Ālam was thunderstruck at such a reply, which he sent on at once to the king. Nevertheless, he continued his march to prove that he was in earnest, and dispatched letter upon letter to Shiva Jī, begging him not to desert him at this crisis. For it was on his advice alone that he had made up his mind to enter on such an undertaking; if he did not assist him, it was impossible to carry out the enterprise. Of a truth, anyone else than Shiva Jī would have fallen into the net. But he stuck firmly to his text, that he would not meet the Mogul army otherwise than sword in hand and ready to cut off heads. He merely sent word that the prince ought to proceed and deliver battle. If by ill-luck any harm happened to him, he had always a friend on whom he could rely. The officers who had signed the paper solicited Shah 'Ālam not to desert them, nor leave the king time to collect an army. Thus they continued the march, already assured, as they thought, of victory and of a new king.