As to myself, this retreat put me under the necessity of providing for my own circumstances. Finding that I was destitute of an equipage suitable to such a voyage, as well as fully sensible that Mir-cassem would never repose any confidence in me, I thought it best to return to Banares, and to remain there. For Mir-djaafer-qhan, naturally displeased with Mir-cassem’s follow­ers, being now encamped on the banks of the Kerem-nassa, whilst people entertained doubts about what turn the Vezir’s assistance might give to the affairs of the vanquished, it would have been imprudent in me to return to Azim-abad; and on the other hand, I reckoned it a happiness, unexpectedly provided for me by Heaven, to pass my days at the feet of the venerable, holy personage mentioned above. Thanks without measure are due to that cream of living men, for that in such a time of despondence and anxiety, he vouchsafed to bestow some of the precious moments of his time in conversing with so humble an individual, as this the most inconsiderable of men. My pen and tongue would fail in enumerating the thousandth part of the kindnesses he had for me; nor do I know how I could describe the care and benignity with which he used to administer consolation to my grief. My pen, incapable to come up to so difficult a task, as that of mentioning them worthily, acknowledges with a hundred thousand excuses, its inability and impo­tence on that affecting subject.

But to return to our narrative. The complexion of the times being now so vicious, that nothing is to be seen amongst the generality of mankind but double dealing, and a traitorous diver­sity between the tongue and the heart; and such morals having become fashionable amongst men, and especially amongst great folks, there is no wonder if neither Shudjah-ed-döulah, nor the Emperor, were wanting to themselves in making artificious invitations to Mir-cassem, and in swearing to promises and treaties which they never intended to put in execution. For they were at the same time writing letters of congratulation to Mir-djaafer-qhan, and entering into treaties and negotiations with both that Prince and his allies. It was on this occasion that Ráo-shitab-ráy, of whom mention has been more than once made in these sheets, appeared again upon the stage of the world. This able man, on quitting Azim-abad, had repaired to A8d, where, soon getting into Shudjah-ed-döulah’s service, and into the good graces of Beni-bahadyr, his Minister and Deputy, he was now reckoned one of the latter’s principal favourites; and, as this Minister, on the other hand, had taken umbrage at Mirza-shems-eddin’s managing the whole of Mir-cassem’s negotiation with Shudjah-ed-döulah, solely through Salar-djung’s mediation, without his (Beni-bahadyr’s) privacy or participation; so he resolved on his side to overturn all that structure, to which they had given him no share, and to raise a treaty and a negotiation on his own bottom with Mir-djaafer-qhan, and with the English, by inspiring his master with a mistrust of the former negotiation, or at least, by instilling in his mind some doubts tending that way. With this view he pitched upon Shitab-ráy, who was sent with a message, and with letters full of civility, together with a Qhylaat or dress of honour; and thus both the Navvab and his Ministers were now in warm connections and conferences with the two parties. Mir-djaafer availed himself of Ráo-shitab-ráy’s arrival, to send the sum of a thousand rupees to Abdol-aaly-qhan, my maternal uncle, at Banares; but this remembrance of his was due solely to my uncle’s being under a disgrace with Mir-cassem, and to his having been expelled Azim-abad, when Ram-naráin, whose friend and servant he had been, was put under con­finement. My uncle having crossed over to the English camp, was received by Mir-djaafer-qhan with a deal of kindness; and this sudden flow of good fortune happened at the very time when my illustrious father, finding how matters had turned out, had thought it expedient to pay a visit to the new Navvab of Bengal, and was actually in camp with his two sons. He was, however, received indifferently; the new Viceroy, doubtless, having disliked his person on no better reason than that of his having been formerly treated with so much consideration and respect by Mir-cassem.

Whilst the negotiation was going on with Mir-cassem, the Emperor and the Vezir were going to Ilah-abad, in order to bring under controul the country of Bundel-cund; and as they had wished that the interview should take place at that city, Mir-cassem marched thither; and the armies approached so near to each other, as to be divided only by a plain of three cosses. The Vezir, with great pomp and magnificence, set out at the head of ten or twelve thousand horse to visit Mir-cassem; and the latter, on being informed of it, ordered his disciplined Sipahis to form a lane of about a quarter of a mile in length, one end of which commenced at the door of his tent walls; and these Mir-cassem now in Shudja-ed-döulah’s dominions, visits that Prince. as well as the tents being hung up with the utmost care and neatness, were filled up with Commanders and Officers well dressed. On the Vezir’s approaching, Mir-cassem went out as far as the inner gate of his tent wall, where these two illustrious personages having saluted each other, according to the rules of Hindostany civility, by an embrace, went together to take their seats on the same Mesned. The Vezir, after having made the greatest protestations to his guest, spoke to him with every kind­ness imaginable; and he invited him to go in his company upon a visit to the Emperor. The offer was accepted; but, on his going to get up, one and twenty elegant tables, or Qhóans,* were brought in, covered with a variety of the richest and most curious stuffs. These were followed by large plates and Qhóans containing mounted jewels, with a variety of loose gems, and pearls, unstrung. After these, were presented several ele­phants of the greatest size. This ceremony being over, the Vezir got upon his own elephant; and, on his desiring his guest to be mounted with him, they sate on the same Amharry,* and went together to the Imperialtents, where Mir-cassem being introduced, paid his respects to the Emperor; after which, the Vezir went on to his own camp, whilst Mir-cassem returned to his quarters. The next day the latter returned the visit. The Vezir ordered his Mogul Cavalry to put on their scarlet coats, and, with their muskets in their hands, to form a lane from the main street of the camp, up to his own tent. Mir-cassem having advanced with a pomp mixed with military array, landed at the outer gate of the Vezir’s tent walls. On his getting within, the Vezir advanced to the border of his carpeting, and taking Mir-cassem by the hand, he carried him to his Mesned, upon which they took their seats together, whilst the tent and the outer yards were filled with Commanders richly attired, and Officers well dressed. The Vezir did every thing in his power to administer consolation to his guest. He promised his help and assistance in the strongest terms, and made him hope that one day his three dominions would be recovered from the hands of the strangers. A few days after this visit, Mir-cassem made choice of Aaly-hibrahim-qhan, to carry to Shudjah-ed-döulah’s consort, a set of lady-jewels,* of a value that could be reckoned only by lacs. To these were added a Rutt, or four-wheeled carriage, of the utmost magnificence; it was drawn by two young elephants, covered with trappings of the richest embroidery. By the same noble­man he sent a message to Ab8l-mans8r-qhan’s consort, mother to Shudjah-ed-döulah, which Princess he addressed by the appellation of mother, requesting her protection, and expressing a hope in her good will; nor did the message fail to be accompanied by some jewels of high value. These ceremonies being over, politics were brought upon the carpet.

As Shudjah-ed-döulah had come so far only with a view to bring under controul some districts of Bundel-cund, and to receive the revenues and balances due on some other territories of Ilah-abad, which were detained; the matter seemed likely to be spun to some length, as the Radja of Bundel-cund did not shew any sign of submission. This furnished Mir-cassem with an opportunity of shewing himself to advantage. As he feared nothing so much as a delay, the consequences of which might afford the English time enough to fix themselves firmly in their new conquests, he sent a pressing message to the Vezir on that subject. He was answered, that such an expedition could not be commenced, before the countries about Ilah-abad were brought into order. Mir-cassem replied, that if this was all that detained the Vezir, it was needless that he (Mir-cassem) should remain with so much artillery, and so many good troops, uselessly encamped. Please, said he, to refer that small affair to me, your friend, and I will undertake in a little time to bring it Mir-cassem’s successful expedition in the Bundel-cund. to a conclusion with a deal of ease. The proposal being accepted, Mir-cassem crossed the Djumna, and getting into the heart of the country, he soon marched beyond Beni-bahadyr, the Vezir’s General, who had been loitering his time in that fruitless expedi­tion. As he had a good train of artillery, mounted and served after the European manner; and he commanded a body of picked men, disciplined after the English fashion, and all inured to the service; he soon reduced some forts that had stopped the Vezir’s General; and he so intimidated the Princes of the country by a warfare and a sight so unusual in the armies of Hindostan, that the principal fortress of the country opened its gates and sur­rendered; and the Radjas, availing themselves of the mediation of Mirza-nedjef-qhan, who was in their service, and had been well used by Mir-cassem, soon came to an agreement, by which they surrendered the districts in question, and submitted to pay the balances demanded; moreover, they gave security for the pay­ment of those sums. Mir-cassem, after this successful expedition, that gladdened his heart, and did him a deal of honour, soon rejoined the Vezir’s army, and proposed again to march towards the eastern countries. This scheme was agreed to, and the Vezir, with the Emperor and Mir-cassem, marched down the river, and encamped at the city of Banares. It was in the middle of the A. D. 1764. month of Ramazan, of the year 1177 of the Hegira, at which period I had been already living these five months in the city, when this arrival put it in my power to enjoy my friends and acquaintances once more; for Mir-cassem was defeated about the end of the second Rebi, or in the beginning of the first Djemadi; and it was the middle of Ramazan when he appeared again at Banares with the Emperor and the Vezir, in full hopes of recovering the sovereignty of his lost dominions. The agree­ment he concluded was on these terms: “That on the Vezir’s crossing the Ganga, and entering the enemy’s country, Mir-cassem from that day, and for so long as the expedition might last, would pay him for the expenses of his army a subsidy of eleven lacs of rupees per month.”