Storia do Mogor 187.2

187.2

Seeing him to be thus positive, I adopted another plan, which was to write to Muhammad Ibrahim begging him to assist me in my escape. He wrote that he would most willingly do so. To this end he sent daily four thousand horse to patrol, as if they meant to make an attempt upon us ; and this caused some anxiety to Shah 'Alam. This went on for several days, until the day fixed for my escape arrived. I sent my books out of the camp by the hands of my spies, who moved about in safety. Then contenting myself with carrying off my hoard of gold coins and my case of instruments, I left my tent mounted on a horse followed by a palanquin, as if I were going out to take the air. I halted at the tent of one of my friends, an Englishman named Thomas Gudlet, and there I drank a cup or two, so as to mystify Shah 'Alam's spies. Then on the pretext that at night I had to give a dinner to some friends, I sent the spies to procure various dishes of food, some to one place, some to another. I also ordered my palanquin to be taken away, as I intended to ride home that evening.