This Ardour induced the King unalterably to persevere in his Resolution
of committing the Welfare of so loyal a People to none but himself, and
during the Remainder of his Reign, whenever he has been advised to ease
himself of the Fatigue of Government, by deputing some faithful and able
Minister, this has always been his generous Answer, "The _Kofirans_ Love
me so as to shed their Blood in my Cause, and they are so dear to me,
that I cannot do less in Return than to watch myself over their
Welfare." There was not, among all the Generals of the Age, one of more
Bravery and Experience than he whom _Zeokinizul_ had appointed to serve
under him. Tho' he was a Foreigner, he was not the less belov'd by the
_Kofirans_; for as he was perfectly acquainted with their Customs and
Temper, he modell'd his Behaviour accordingly. This great Man was famous
for Military Qualifications, only, if so noble an Excess may be term'd a
Fault, he was perhaps too brave. But this Intrepidity, which in any
other Country would have hindered his Preferment, promoted it among the
_Kofirans_, and raised his Character with that People, who are all Fire
and Spirit. His Name was _Vameric_. He has been reproached with
interrupting the Actions of this Campaign, which was not so glorious as
its Opening had promised. It is certain, that this General, to make
_Zeokinizul_ more in Love with War, and to animate him by great
Successes, had weakened the other Armies, the better to enable that
under his Command to perform some signal Exploits, which gave the Enemy
an Opportunity to make an unexpected Irruption. A strong Army of the
Queen of _Ghinoer_, forced the Passes of the _Nhir_, and penetrated into
a Province of the _Kofirans_. This Misfortune stopp'd _Zeokinizul_ in
the midst of his rapid Conquests. He chose about twenty eight, or thirty
thousand of his best Troops, which he would lead in Person, to reinforce
a small Number, who, being far inferior to the Enemy, had been obliged
to shelter themselves under a Fortress. To encourage these brave Men in
their long and painful Marches, he travelled at their Rate; but he had