As there was a suspicion that Mirza-bakyr was underhand sup­ported by Nizam-el-mulk, and the releasing the young Governor was thought a difficult object, which enhanced the importance of the expedition, the greatest efforts were made in raising and assembling troops, and in providing stores. The Viceroy enjoined to his ancient Commanders to assemble such corps as were at hand, without waiting for those new troops that might be forth­coming, in hopes of getting service; as they might join by the way. Accordingly, Mustapha-qhan was ordered to augment his brigade to five thousand horse, Shimshir-qhan to three thousand, Serdar-qhan to two thousand, Umer-qhan to three, Ataollah-qhan to two, Haïder-c8ly-qhan, Fakir-ollah-beg-qhan, and Mir-djaaffer-qhan, to a thousand each, Mir-sherf-eddin, and Shah-mahmed-maas8m to five hundred each, and Amanet-qhan, of Narnöul, to a thousand and five hundred, Mir-cazem-qhan to two hundred, and Bahadyr-aaly-qhan, Inspector of the heavy artillery, to five hundred. Fateh-räo the Paymaster, and Chehidun, with some other Gentoo officers, were ordered to raise fifty thousand musqueteers. All these preparatives being made, Aaly-verdy-qhan took his leave of his brother, Hadji Ahmed, as well as of his consort. He seemed deeply affected, and at parting he was heard to say: That if he ever returned at all from that expedition, it would be with their son; else, he would never shew them his face again. He left his eldest nephew, Nevazish-mahmed-qhan, in the city at the head of five thousand horse and ten thousand foot, with orders to take care of the Government in his absence; and after having spied a favourable moment in the stars, he departed at the head of twenty thousand horse, old troops, and Aaly-verdy-qhan marches into Oressa. he advanced by continual marches, dragging along his light and heavy artillery. On approaching the frontier, he published that he would give One Lac of Rupees to whosover would rescue his nephew, and bring him to camp, and if it should happen to be a Commander of a corps, he would, over and above that sum, present each of his men, with two months’ pay. Such mighty preparatives could not long remain concealed from Mirza-bakyr. The enemy’s superior power had intimidated him; he seemed to have abated much of confidence, and was at a loss how to manage. However, as he was now thoroughly embarked in the enterprise, he resolved to stand it out. For this purpose, he drew out of the city of Catec what forces he could muster, and choosing a post beyond the Maha-nudda, at a small distance from the city, he intrenched himself there with his back to the river, whilst his front was surrounded by his lines and defended by small and large artillery. His camp and baggage he left at about three or four cosses behind, together with his prisoner. The latter was in a Rutt, or four-wheeled carriage, covered all over with a white cloth, which was surmounted by a network of strong cord, that embraced the whole coach. Two T8ranian Moghuls were placed with the prisoner within the coach, with orders to fall upon him with their poniards, and put him to death, the moment they should see any of the enemy’s troops at hand. Five hundred Decanian troopers were likewise placed round the coach, with orders, the moment they should see the enemy draw near, to run each his spear through the coach, and then make the best of his way to their main, if they could; else, they were to provide for their own safety, in what manner soever they should think fit. Aaly-verdy-qhan being informed of all these particulars, set apart some trusty officers and troops with orders, the moment they should perceive a fluctuation and a disorder in the enemy’s ranks, to run full speed, wheel round their rear, and fall upon that part of the camp where they would spy the white coach; after which it would become easy to rescue the prisoner. Having said so much, he set out himself after midnight, and by the dawn of the day, he found himself close to the enemy’s intrenchment. This sight surprised the intrenched troops, and their spirits were daunted at the enemy’s numbers and military array. The dismay was so great, that hardly a few cannon-balls and rockets had been sent amongst them, than they fell into confusion, and thought only of saving themselves. The enemy emboldened by this trepidation, rushed into the river, attacked the intrenchment by its rear (and this was covered only by the stream) and broke into it in shoals. The intrenched troops daunted at so much daringness, thought only of retreating and flying. Bakyr-aaly-qhan defeated. By this time Mustapha-qhan and Mir-djaaffer-qhan, who had been appointed for rescuing the prisoner, had already advanced on the rear of the enemy, and were now at half an hour’s distance from the wished for spot. But here Mahmed-aamir-qhan, brother of Mir-djaaffer-qhan’s consort, parted company with them, and with two officers, called Assalet-qhan and Dilir-qhan, both sons to Omer-qhan, and a few others, who to the number of ten men, resolved to share his danger, he advanced some hundred paces before the rest; and he was the very first who broke into the enemy’s camp in search of the white coach. This was pointed out to him by a young man, whom he found there, and who happened to be son to a person in the prisoner’s service; and to that part this daring troop turned directly. This was no sooner observed by the five hundred Marhatta troopers, than they came close to the coach, and each of them ran his spear through, and turning about, put spurs to his horse immediately and fled with all his might. These numerous spears run through the coach, had no other effect, than that of killing one of the two Moghuls, who were sitting with the prisoner, with orders to dispatch him, and wounding the other. The wounded man seeing no end to the repeated strokes, and finding that spears were endlessly run through the coach, stretched himself at whole length, and covered his body with the corpse of his companion. By one of those good lucks, for which there is no accounting, it happened that the prisoner himself squatted likewise as low as he could, and received no harm at all. At this critical moment those twelve heroes arrived, and cutting through the network, they lifted up the curtain, and were immediately recollected by the prisoner, who thanked them for their timely interposition, and loaded them with encomiums. Mahmed-aamin-qhan, who thought the moment precious, jumped down from his horse, and taking the prisoner by the hand, he bid him mount instantly; but whilst they were exchanging a few words, with their backs turned, the wounded The young Prince,against all probability, is found alive and safe. Moghul jumped out at the opposite door, and nimbly vaulting upon the horse, he fled with the rapidity of lightning, and soon had joined the Marhattas, leaving the twelve men much surprised and confounded at the man’s alertness. The surprise was fol­lowed by a peel of laughter, and even by the sense of admiration, at the man’s presence of mind. However, as another horse was wanting, Dilir-qhan alighted, and made the prisoner mount; and as the Bengal detachment was now in sight, Mir-djaaffer pushed forward, and having been reconnoitred by Mahmed-aamin-qhan and his troops, they felicitated him on the recovery of his kinsman, and brought him to the coach. That General no sooner fixed the prisoner, than he alighted instantly, made the prisoner mount on the elephant, and mounted himself behind to protect his per­son. It was thus that by a singular dispensation of Providence, a youth devoted to death long ago, and which waited only for the fatal stroke, is the next hour seated on an elephant, carried in pomp and ceremony, viewed with awe and admiration, and held up as a Lord over mankind. People who came to hear of so strange a delivery, thronged in shoals to have only a sight of him; and as soon as they could descry him from afar, they would incline their heads to the ground in token of respect, and kiss their thumbs to express their wonder and attachment. Admirable are Thine ways, Oh Almighty Lord, owner of all the kingdoms on earth!* He bestows dominion on whom He pleases, takes it from whom He pleases, raises to honour whom He chooses, and depresses to the ground whom He chooses. Every one is in His hand, and truly His power is capable of everything. Instantly some swift horsemen were dispatched to Aaly-verdy-qhan with the tidings that his beloved grandson was safe, and the young man making his appearance a few moments after, alighted and made a profound bow to his grandfather and uncle. The Vice­roy, on his drawing nearer, drew him to his bosom, embraced him tenderly but in silence, and he filled brimful the measure of his wishes, by keeping the youth for some minutes close to his breast; after which giving reins to his satisfaction, he ordered his tent to be pitched on that very spot, commanded the military music to strike up, and sent the young Prince to the bath, where he was to be dressed in a clean apparel. As soon as he saw him come out of that place, he got him dressed in a Princely Qhylaat, and after adorning his person with a variety of jewels of immense value, such as a Serpich, a Djica, a Calghi, and a Chaplet of large pearls, he took him by the hand, conducted him to the Mesned of command and dominion, made him sit thereon, and ordered the principal persons of his Court and army to offer him their Nuzurs, and to pay him their homages. This ceremony having produced a large sum of money, the whole of it was distributed to a num­ber of needy persons, who were requested to look upon it as a charity of good omen; and as soon as they were retired, some accommodations and carpets were spread for those present, and all joined in offering up a thanksgiving prayer for so signal a delivery. Immediately a number of carriages were dispatched under a strong escort to Bara-bati, for bringing from thence the young Prince’s consort, with his children and family; but this, however, could not be effected without much difficulty. The garrison left in that fortress by Mirza-bakyr, was divided in two parties. Those that had ill used, and even insulted their ptisoners, and feared a return in kind from the conquerors, were for keep­ing their gates shut up; those, on the contrary, who had used them kindly, were for setting them open, in hopes of being rewarded on both accounts. This party, however, prevailed at last; the gates were set open, and the prisoners delivered to the escort. These were the young Prince’s consort, with his family and dependants; and these being put upon veiled carriages, were brought to the camp of the victorious, where a set of convenable tents had been pitched within an enclosure for their use; and it was then that those parched hearts, that had wandered so long in the dreary desert of absence, and sobbed in the wilderness of separation, now quenched their thirst by gulping down in long draughts the cooling sherbet of a completion of wishes. A few days after, the Viceroy presented his nephew with such articles as he stood in need of, and were necessary to a person of his exalted rank, such as elephants and horses, arms and accoutrements, saddles and trappings, a wardrobe, complete, a set of jewels of various sorts, and a great number of other conveniencies; and when he saw him convenably equipped, he dismissed him with a deal of distinction, wishing him a happy journey to M8rsh8d-abad, where he was to pay his respects to his parents, to overwhelm their hearts with a flood of joy, and above all, to rescue from the pangs of separation and the agonies of deep-felt woe, a disconsolate mother who since his captivity had abstained from the light of the day, and had reckoned herself as one in the grave. The unfor­tunate Princess did not know as yet, that Providence, in compas­sion to her sufferings, had by ways of his own, brought about an opportunity of lighting the taper of content and joy to the wick of his long-wished arrival, and to illuminate by the beams of his presence, that night of darkness that had surrounded her existence. As soon as the young Prince was departed, he was followed by part of the army and by the Viceroy’s heavy baggage, who thought proper to tarry in the country with a body of five thousand horse, and his best officers; his intention being to see the country entirely quieted, and its revenues and finances upon a proper footing. As soon as this end was obtained, he conferred the Lieutenancy of the country on an officer of distinction, called Moqhless-aaly-qhan, whom he appointed Deputy to the young Prince, gave him a body of troops, and took his departure for Bengal. However, a few days after, he altered his mind, and on the recommendation of Mustapha-qhan, an Afghan General, for whom he had the highest regard, he recalled the Deputy of his own nomination, and gave his office to Sheh-mahmed-maas8m of Panip8t, a friend of the Viceroy’s and a Commander of emi­nence, who bore a great character for both valour and conduct. The new Deputy-Governor followed for some days the Viceroy in his journey to receive his instructions, and also his Qhylaat of investiture; and as soon as this end was accomplished, he returned to Catec with such a body of veteran troops, as were thought adequate to his exigencies. The Viceroy,after having dismissed this Commander with distinction and honour, continued his journey, shortening his distance every day. He had with him his consort, with his grandson and nephew, Mirza-mehmed, since Seradj-ed-döula; and he turned his journey into a continual sporting, shooting and hunting, being exceedingly fond of that amusement.