him in jest, out of contempt gave him her mundal,[87] and desired him
to play, which he did in so masterly a manner that she was delighted,
saying that his company would give her superiority over her fellows and
do her honour with the roy's son. Accordingly he with his companions
attended the girl to the tents of the young roy.

"As is the custom of Dekkan, many sets of loolies[88] and dancing-girls
were ordered to perform at the same time, and having finished
their parts, the roy's son called for the players and mummers. The
dancing-girl now obtained leave for the cauzi and one of his companions
to show their feats. Having assumed the dress of women, they entered
ogling and smiling, and so well imitated the mummers in playing on
the mundal, dancing, and mimicry, that the roy's son was charmed
with their performances. At length they each drew a dagger, and,
like the dancers of Dekkan, continued to flourish them for some
time, making a thousand antic postures in advancing, retreating,
and turning round. At last, suddenly rushing upon the roy's son,
they plunged both the daggers into his breast, afterwards attacking
his companions. Their remaining friends, who were watching without
the tent, on hearing an alarm, ripped up the curtain, and entered
to assist them. Many of the company, being much intoxicated, were
easily put to death. The cauzi with his friends extinguished all
the lights, and, making their escape through the rent, mingled with
the crowd. The outcry soon became general round the tents. Great
confusion ensued, and various reports and alarms took place. Some
said that the sultan had crossed the river and surprised the camp,
others that one of his chiefs, with twelve thousand men, had cut off
both the roy and his son. The night was uncommonly dark, and the camp
extended near ten miles, so that circumstances were variously reported,
and the different chiefs, ignorant of the real cause of the alarm,