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第64节

a forgotten empire-vijayanagar-第64节

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During this return of the King there came to meet him Christovao de Figueiredo;'560' who was at that time in the city of Bisnaga with horses; and he took with him twenty Portuguese musqueteers; he also himself having his musquet。 The King took much pleasure in his company; glad that he should see the war and his great power; and he ordered some tents to be given to him of those taken from the Ydallcao; and commanded that he should be lodged close to his own quarters。 One day Christovao de Figueiredo told the King that he wanted to go and see the city; but the King said that he should not set his heart upon that because he did not want any disaster to befall him。 But Christovao de Figueiredo replied that the whole business of the Portuguese was war; and that this would be the greatest favour that he could do him; namely that His Highness should permit him to go and see the Moors。 So the King gave him leave and sent some people with him。 Christovao de Figueiredo went close to the trench before the walls; keeping himself as much concealed as possible; and seeing how fearlessly the Moors exposed themselves on the wall; began; with the musqueteers whom he had brought; to open fire on them in such a way that he slew many; the Moors being careless and free from fear; as men who up to then had never seen men killed with firearms nor with other such weapons。 So they began to forsake the wall (at this point); and the king's troops found an opportunity of coming in safety to it; and they began to destroy much of the masonry; and so many people collected on this side that all the camp was put in commotion; saying that Christovao de Figueiredo had entered the city with his Portuguese。 This was told to the King。 Those in the city could not understand what was going on; nor how these people came to be in the King's service; until they recollected how on the day of the other fight the Portuguese had come; and then they considered themselves lost。 For by the aid of those men the King's people came without fear to the wall; where already it was damaged in many places; because the city had its cannon so high up that these could do no injury to the men who were at the foot of the wall。 The wall also was filled up inside with earth; and there were no cannon in the breaches。 The people of the city whom up to that time they had killed had been supplied with stones which they had flung on the besiegers from the top of the wall; and with musquets and arrows; so that even if the King's men were able to reach the wall at all they were at least wounded; but as Christovao de Figueiredo with the Portuguese prevented the enemy from appearing at all on the wall; the Hindus were enabled to reach it at their ease。

Here you would have seen how the King's captains begged Christovao de Figueiredo to permit them one day to attack the Moors in his company; and he; in order to content the more honourable of them; went with them on those days。 One day he divided his musqueteers into three companies and began to kill several amongst the Moors who showed themselves; insomuch that none durst be seen; and then the King's troops began; in these three divisions; to attack the wall with many pickaxes and crowbars;'561' and he sent to tell the rest that they should attack on their own account; and such was the result that the defenders of the city began to abandon the first line of fortification; and the women and children took refuge in the citadel。 The captain of the city; seeing the dismay that had spread amongst his people; began to turn them back with encouraging words; and with some of them betook himself to that part of the wall which he saw was most severely pressed; begging them that they would come back to the wall and not be afraid。 He was answered by some that at that point were those Franks'562' who were helping; and that as soon as any one showed himself he was a dead man; and he; wishing to see for himself where the Portuguese were; reached over with his body in front one of the embrasures and was killed with a musquet…shot that struck him in the middle of his forehead。 It was said by the Moors that Christovao de Figueyredo had killed him; and they took notice of him (DERAO SYGNAES D ELLE)。 As soon as the captain was thus killed there was great lamentation in the city; and soon the wall was deserted; so that the men from the King's camp were left to do as they pleased with it; and they noticed the outcry that arose within and saw that there was no one defending the wall。 They therefore retired to see what should happen; and left off fighting for that day。



CHAPTER 11


How those in the city asked for terms; and the king granted them quarter。

Next day; which was twenty days since the battle had taken place in which the Ydallcao had been defeated; the men of the city opened a gate; and with a white flag carried in front of them went the way of the King's camp with their hands uplifted; begging the King's mercy。

When the King was advised of their coming; he commanded Solestema;'563' his minister; to receive them; and when they saw that he came out to receive them they began to hope that they should experience kindness at the King's hands。

Thus they came to the place where he was; and there they prostrated themselves on the ground with much groaning and tears; and besought his pity and benevolence。

The King commanded them to rise; saying that he would save all their persons and property; and that they need have no fear but should return to the city; and that on the next day he would enter it; and he bade a captain take possession of the city。

Whilst the Moors were thus in presence of the King (the soldiers looking on); they saw Christovao de Figueiredo; and told the King that the conquest and capture of the city was due to that foreigner; that he had slain their captain; and with his people had killed many Moors; which caused the city's destruction。 The King; casting his eyes on Christovao de Figueiredo; nodded his head; and turned to the people telling them to observe what great things could be effected by one good man。 He then retired to his tent and the men of the city to the city; and the king's troops made great feasting and rejoicing。


CHAPTER 12


How the King entered the city; and of the feast that was made for him; and of the regulations and arrangements he made there。

As soon as the next day dawned; the King; after he had performed both his customary prayers and others which it is their wont to offer after victories; giving thanks to God (for indeed the principal thing they pray for is a conquest such as this); rode in company with the other great lords and his captains; and with his guard took the way to the city。 There the citizens were standing awaiting his arrival; with more cheerful countenances than their real feelings warranted; yet striving to take courage; and they followed him with much loud shouting; crying;  〃God be praised who has sent to save us after so many years!〃 and with these and other such words they begged him to spare them and have pity on them。 So he proceeded till he arrived close to the citadel; when he sent to call the most honoured men in the city; and to these the King said that he would spare all their property; that they might freely act as they wished regarding both that and their persons; and those who wished to stay in the city might remain in their old state as before; and as for those who wished to depart they might do so at once with all that they possessed。 They all raised their hands to Heaven; and threw themselves on the ground in thankfulness for such gentle treatment。 While the King was thus engaged there came men to tell him that his troops were robbing the city; and he at once tool; measures to prevent this; and everything was returned to its owner; but as in such cases as these the conquered are content merely with their own liberty; laying little store by anything they may get back; great robberies took place; and some of these afterwards came to the ears of the King; and those who had done it were soundly chastised。

In a short time the defeat of the Ydallcao was known all over India; and also in other regions of the interior; he being a great lord in these parts; and as soon as the news was carried to Zemelluco and Madremalluco and Destuy and Virido; and also to other lords who were like slaves to the king Daquym;'564' although in some measure they rejoiced since they wished him ill; yet on the other hand they began to be fearful for their own safety。'565' So they all took measures to send their envoys; and these found the King still inside the city of Rachol。 Astonished though they were to see that the King had captured so strong a city; they were much more surprised to see how great was his power and how numerous his troops。 Having arrived where he was they gave him the letters they had brought; and these were forthwith read。 In these the chiefs told the King that he ought to content himself with having defeated the Ydallcao as he had done; and ought not to wage further war; they begged him of his goodness to return to the Ydallcao that which he had so taken from him; and that if he did so they would always obey whatever he commanded; but if he was not of a mind to this; then 

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