Storia do Mogor 173.8

173.8

Some men came and said to the king that the vanguard of Akbar was advancing with such determination that they were too few to resist their fury and impetus. From this cause Aurangzeb, although still relying upon the sorcery, had already given himself up for lost [193], not having yet sufficient men, although more were coming in hour by hour. It was the period of the short rainy season in those regions — that is to say, it was the month of January one thousand six hundred and eighty-one. The rain and the wind gave us enough to suffer from, coupled with the mud and mire of the roads. All the same, we arrived (as I have said) (ante, II. 191) three hours before the appearance of Akbar and his army, although we had been much farther off than Akbar had been ; and he took four days in coming to execute his project, when he could have done it in two, at which time Aurangzeb was without soldiers and without strength. It looked as if the heavens wished to announce this rebellion, for on the vespers of the Nativity (December 24) of one thousand six hundred and eighty there appeared a large comet with a tail. It was at the time that we were encamped near the tank of which I spoke (Rana-sagar, ante, II. 187). From this occurrence (the comet) our camp became perturbed and concerned, not knowing what was about to happen.