Storia do Mogor 84.5

84.5

Afzal Khān was in his tent between the two armies, waiting with great anxiety for the arrival of Shiva Jí, and building, I fancy, many castles in the air. Then Shiva Jí appeared with his five men, all on horseback. At some distance from the tent they descended from their horses. Shiva Jí began to advance, bowing again and again, as if he was petitioning for a good reception and was in a state of apprehension. Afzal Khān beckoned to him with his hands that he might approach without fear; and as Shiva Jí drew near, Afzal Khān raised his arms as if to embrace him. Shiva Jí's hands came round him lower down, Afzal Khān being a tall man and very corpulent; then swiftly and forcibly he rent open Afzal Khān's abdomen from the left to the right side, so that the bowels protruded. The other five men laid hold of their swords and cut to pieces Afzal Khān's companions. The appointed signal was given, and Shiva Jí's soldiers arriving, fell upon the army of Afzal Khān, and being taken unawares, it could not resist the impetus of Shiva Jí, more especially now its general was gone. Everything was thrown into confusion, and the men took to flight. But Shiva Jí had adopted measures by which the passes into the hills were already occupied by his soldiers, and thus the whole of the royal army was disposed of. He became more powerful than ever through the plunder in horses, arms, and money that he acquired.