Storia do Mogor 354.10.4

354.10.4

On learning that Captain Ignatio was to leave shortly for Manila, Dã,ud Khãn wrote him a letter full of ceremonious language, by way of testifying to the obligation that he professed to be under, and the gratitude he felt for the gift of a dog which he esteemed as much as a son — indeed, much more than a son, for you will have seen (IV. 149) that he declined to preserve the life of his own sons. Therefore he prayed the captain to allow five men to proceed with him for the purchase of different rare animals with the money sent to him. To open a correspondence and obtain [177] his object, Dã,úd Khãn wrote a letter to the Governor of Manila, paying him many compliments, and enclosed thirty-one lengths of gold and as many of silver cloth. At this time four mace-bearers (gurz-bardãrs) arrived at the audience-hall of Dã,úd Khãn with orders from the king. He was commanded to march at once with an army to the fortress of Pelconda (Penukonda), and make an attempt to recover it from the hands of the Mahrattahs. Upon July 1, 1706, in execution of the royal commands, he commenced his march. We shall see what happens to this enterprise, and I will without fail report the result.