had advanced to the northern frontier of the debatable land and was
encamped on the river Krishna, then in full flood, having large bodies
of troops posted to oppose the passage of the Muhammadans.

"Sultan Feroze Shaw,[84] on his arrival near the river, held a council
of war with his chief officers, but received no advice that to him
appeared satisfactory.

"While the sultan was debating in his own mind how to act, Cauzi
Serauje, seeing his concern, offered, if the sultan would permit him,
to cross the river with a few of his friends, whom he would select
for that purpose, to assassinate Dewal Roy or his son, as he found
most convenient....

"The sultan approving the measure, some hundreds of hurdles covered
with leather[85] were prepared expeditiously for the troops to
cross. Cauzi Serauje, with seven of his friends disguised as holy
mendicants, proceeded to the roy's camp, and repaired to the quarter
where the dancing-girls resided.[86] Here the cauzi pretended to be
enraptured with a courtesan, and was guilty of a thousand extravagances
to support his character. In the evening the girl, having adorned
herself in her richest ornaments, prepared to go out, on which the
cauzi, like a jealous and distracted lover, falling at her feet,
entreated her to stay, or let him attend her, and not rend his heart
by her absence. The woman upon this informed him that she was ordered
to attend an entertainment by the roy's son, and durst not disobey,
nor could she take him with her, as only musicians and dancers would
be admitted. The cauzi upon this replied that he played on the same
instrument as herself, and had, besides, some curious accomplishments
that would highly please the roy's son. The dancing-girl, thinking