It must be remembered that Aaly-verdy-qhan had borne his part in the second campaign against Mustapha-qhan; and it was then that intelligence came to camp of Rhago-dji-bhoslah’s having invaded the Oressa. This invasion was brought about in the following manner:—Abdol-res8l-qhan, Governor of Oressa, had paid so much regard to the rupture between his uncle and Aaly-verdy-qhan, as to quit his post, and go over with his whole brigade to Mustapha-qhan’s assistance. He had left the Government to a Nàib or Deputy of his, which he appointed without, however, meddling with Radja D8lobram, who had been appointed his Agent-General by the Viceroy, and was son to a Prime Minister. Of course, on the Governor’s desertion, the Government devolved on this Gentoo, to whom the Patent and insignia of Governor came from M8rsh8d-abad soon after. But D8lobram was unfit for such an office. Scrupulously attached to his religious practices, he was much addicted to the company of Brahmans and Sanyas­sees,* or Gentoo Fakyrs, who intirely governed him; whereas he seemed averse to the company of his military officers, most of whom were Mussulmen; and it is observable that most of those Sanyassees were Rhago-dji-bhoslah’s spies, who thereby receiv­ing frequent intelligence of D8lobram’s contemptible conduct, and of the weakness of his Government, erected his scheme upon that knowledge. He was confirmed in his resolution by letters which he then received from Mustapha-qhan, who invited him to a community of interests and warfare. The Marhatta Prince, who since his General’s murder, was like an untrodden snake retired within its hole, from whence he watched the moment of revenge, looked upon this invitation as on a particular interposi­tion from Heaven in his behalf. Putting himself therefore at the head of fourteen thousand horse, he marched towards Bengal, crossed the mountainous tracts betwixt his dominions and Oressa, and arrived on the frontiers of that country; whilst D8lobram, meanly busy with his Sanyassees on the shore of the river, was kept in so gross an ignorance, that the enemy was close upon him, before he had suspected anything of the matter. Mir-abdol-aziz, that worthy officer, and venerable Séyd of Semana, of whom we have somewhile ago made mention, had somehow got intelligence of the enemies being close and at hand; and on the first intelligence, he got upon his horse, and went to Court immediately with about twenty troopers, that were at hand, giving orders to his people to mount, and follow him without loss of time. Being arrived at D8lobram’s door, he found that he was asleep yet, and knew nothing of the Marhattas; and a full hour more was spent in waiting for his rising; meanwhile a general uproar having risen throughout the city of Catec, people began to fly and pro­vide for their safety. It was then, and not sooner, that D8lobram being awakened, came out half naked, and without a turbant, and in that condition, got into his Paleky, with intention to take shelter in the castle of Bhara-Bhaty, which was not far off. Mir-abdol-aziz was following him with the troops that were with him. They were advancing together, when at some distance, but still within the city, he stopped awhile to speak to one of his men, and on turning his head about, he saw some Marhatta troopers busy in stripping people, and D8lobram on foot, endeavouring to skulk about some ruined houses; on sight of this, he ran forwards, and seizing him by the arm, he reproached him with his cowardice. “Why are you frightened,” cried he, “and why do you render yourself contemptible? Get upon this horse, and follow me. These are no more than people intent on plunder and sac. Believe me, there is time yet to retire into the castle; and rest assured that I will not leave you here.” D8lobram, recovering from his fright, mounted upon his horse, and was immediately surrounded by the officer’s troopers, who carried him safe to the gate of the castle. Meanwhile some of D8lobram’s soldiers joined him, as did some detached soldiers from the other corps by a few at a time; so that in a little time he found himself with a good number of troops in and about the fortress. But Rhago-dji arriving a little after, besieged the castle immediately, and D8lobram was now frightened in earnest; and being informed also that Aaly-verdy-qhan, his master, was gone on an expedi­tion against Mustapha-qhan, he yielded to the intreaties and sug­gestions of the Sanyassees, who proposed to mediate an agree­ment; and he resolved to make himself easy, as he wanted no more than his life. With this view he held a consultation with his Com­manders and officers. Some of these, out of compliment to their Governor, voted for an immediate surrender; and some thought it was too late to make any effectual resistance in so unprepared a station. But they were opposed by Mir-abdol-aziz and some others, who thought such a surrender dishonourable to their master, Aaly-verdy-qhan, and disgraceful to themselves; and they were for fighting and defending the place. D8lobram inclined to an agreement; and he was deluded into it by his Sanyassees at last. After many days’ conferences D8lobram came out of the fortress, and went to pay a visit to the Marhatta Prince, accompanied by all his Commanders and officers, and even by a brother of Mir-abdol-aziz, who came out with ten or twelve of his men. But that Commander himself, with three or four hundred of his soldiers, remained in the Fort, together with a number of towns-men who had taken shelter in it. D8lobram, after his visit, wanted to return home; but was prevented by the Marhatta, who objected to his returning in the heat of the day, and desired his accepting of an entertainment prepared in a tent set up for his taking some rest; he also distributed the Governor’s officers amongst his own Com­manders, recommending their being handsomely used and enter­tained, like so many guests. The officers seeing an entertain­ment spread for them, soon laid down their arms, loosened their girdles, and having partaken of the entertainment, they retired to take some rest; but on their waking up they found themselves prisoners and in confinement; and every one of them repented, but too late, of his credulity. On hearing of this treachery, Mir-abdol-aziz assumed the command of the fortress, and prepared for its defence. The Prince disappointed, sent him his own brother, to persuade him to a surrender; and this brother was accompanied by envoys which D8lobram himself had sent to his people for the same purpose. Abdol-aziz answered his own brother in these terms: “Sir, tell Rhago-dji that at present I have neither brother nor master; we are servants to one Lord, who is Aaly-verdy-qhan the formidable in war. Some ungrate­ful cowards have gone over to you, and listened to your words; but as for us, we shall defend this fortress, as becomes faithful soldiers, and as long as breath shall remain in our bosom; and this is our last resolution.” The brave Commander proved as good as his word; and for a month and some days, he sustained a vigorous siege. These events were taking place, at the very time when the Viceroy of Bengal recalled by the solicitations of Nevazish-mahmed-qhan, his nephew, who announced Rhago-dji’s invasion in the Oressa, had quitted his expedition of Azim-abad, to return to Bengal. Although he heard of D8lobram’s being entrapped, and of Abdol-aziz’s still defending himself, yet he forbore moving to his assistance, as he wanted to manage Rhago-dji, and had sent to him a gentleman, lately come from Delhi, called Munaam-aaly-qhan, a person of eloquence and abilities. Rhogo-dji, ascribing such an unexpected step to conscious weak­ness, answered “That he could not return home, unless he was complemented with three Corors of rupees.” The Viceroy embarrassed in his circumstances, spun out the negotiation to a length, until hearing of Mustapha-qhan’s defeat, he first of all returned his humble acknowledgment to God Almighty, and then taking another stile with the Marhatta Prince, he turned a new leaf with him, and lent him the following message: An agree­ment Vigorous message sent by Aaly-verdy qhan to the Marhatta’s proposal. brought about by dint of money, is the effect of either impotence, or some great hope. As to the first, I inform you that by God’s blessing, the intrepid warriors, those lions avide of slaughter and blood, are more covetous than ever of another engagement with you, and more desirous of fighting than hunters are of getting at their prey. And as to the second article, I must tell you, that they cannot expect any benefit from entering into a treaty with so unfortunate and so ill fated a Commander as you. Matters standing thus, the agreement you expect, cannot be brought about but by a battle, when the lions giddy with the fumes of an approaching slaughter, shall swim over the bloody plain, shall drag the crocodiles of Barar to the slaughter, and tinge the element with streams of their blood. Then, and not sooner, whoever shall have obtained the victory, will have it in his power to propose an agreement to his own mind. Rhago-dji on receiving this message, resolutely answered in these words. “I am come from a thousand cosses’ distance to encamp in this corner of the dominions of your Majestuous Highness,* and do not see that you have as yet moved so little as a hundred cosses to receive your guests.” This answer produced the following reply: “What you observe is nothing but truth. However, the reason is that the rainy season is at hand; please therefore to take some rest; and rest assured that, so soon as that season is over, I shall not only move to meet you, as my guest, but shall have the politeness to reconduct you as far as your own home.” Rhago-dji, after this message, advanced towards Bir­bohom, where he took up his quarters; from hence by parties he brought under his power the whole province of Oressa as far as Midnip8r and Hedjly, together with great part of the Bardevan. All this while the brave Mir-abdol-aziz was defending the fortress of Bhara-bhaty; but the place being ill furnished for a long defence, and, above all, wanting provisions, he agreed to surrender it, on condition of having his person, honour, and baggage safe, as well as that of his people; and that none of them should be forced to take party with the Marhattas. This treaty was insured by a paper sent him by Rhago-dji under his hand and seal, and under the hands and seals of all his principal Commanders, who signed as guarantees to the performance of the articles. On these condi­tions he surrendered the fortress; and after having tarried a few days in the Marhatta camp, he took his leave of the Marhatta Prince, and went to M8rsh8d-abad. D8lobram remained a prisoner one full year, or even some months more; nor was he released but by the mediation of some Bankers, who paid a ran­som of three lacs of ruppes for him. After which he returned to M8rsh8d-abad, where the Viceroy repaid the money to his father, a Minister with whose faithful services he was perfectly satisfied.