Storia do Mogor 65.44.1

65.44.1

We came forth by a postern-gate, when we saw some thirty men with swords in their hands, who came at me, saying : 'Let us kill him ; he, too, is of the eunuch's force.' The man with me then laid one arm upon me, and, waving the other hand, demanded in the king's name that they should not kill me nor lay hands on me. But they were keen to plunder me, and told him he had become my advocate simply to strip me himself; but, grieve him as it might, they meant to kill me and appropriate my clothes. Recognising their purpose and seeing them approach, I took off my turban there and then, and the rest of my vestments, being left with nothing but my under-drawers and my shirt. I threw the clothes to them, and my defender conducted me a little farther ; then he said I might go on in security, as I was now out of danger. But just as I imagined I was free there came towards me a soldier, a Hindu rustic, holding a drawn sword, who, with many abusive terms and threats, requested me to make over my shirt to him. Enraged at finding myself amidst so much persecution and so many affronts, I said he might kill me if he liked, but I would never him the shirt. Overwhelming him with abuse, I provided him with cause for despatching me ; but he did not want to damage the shirt, so he allowed me to live. In the end I decided to give up the shirt, so I took it off in a rage, rather than lose my life.