a forgotten empire-vijayanagar-第61节
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wenty thousand foot six thousand horse and sixty elephants； after him went Comara； and he had eighty thousand foot and of horse two thousand five hundred； and forty elephants； after him the forces of Ogemdraho；＇537＇ the governor of the city of Bisnaga； with one of his captains； who had one thousand horse and thirty thousand foot and ten elephants。 After him went three eunuchs； favourites of the King； who had forty thousand foot and one thousand horse and fifteen elephants。 The page who served the King with betel＇538＇ had fifteen thousand foot and two hundred horse； but he had no elephants。 Comarberca＇539＇ had eight thousand foot and four hundred horse and twenty elephants。 The people of the chief of Bengapor＇540＇ went by another route with the people of Domar； who were very numerous； and in the same way went other captains of ten or twelve thousand men； of whom I make no mention； not knowing their names。 The King took of his guard six thousand horse and forty thousand foot； the pick of all his kingdom； men with shields； archers； and three hundred elephants。
All were equally well armed； each after his own fashion； the archers and musqueteers with their quilted tunics；＇541＇ and the shieldmen with their swords and poignards＇542＇ in their girdles； the shields are so large that there is no need for armour to protect the body； which is completely covered； the horses in full clothing； and the men with doublets；＇543＇ and weapons in their hands； and on their heads headpieces after the manner of their doublets； quilted with cotton。 The war…elephants go with their howdahs （CASTELLOS） from which four men fight on each side of them； and the elephants are completely clothed； and on their tusks they have knives fastened； much ground and sharpened； with which they do great harm。 Several cannon were also taken。 I do not speak here of the washermen； who are numberless here they wash clothes nor of the public women who accompanied the army； there were twenty thousand of them with the king during his journey。 Any one can imagine the amount of baggage that such a large number of people would take。 In the rear with the king； but always on the road in front of him； some ten or twelve thousand men with water…skins who go seeking water； and place themselves along the road to give water to those who have no one to bring it to them； this is done so that none of the people should die of thirst。 Three or four leagues in front of all this multitude go some fifty thousand men who are like scouts； they have to spy out the country in front； and always keep that distance； and on their flanks there are two thousand horse of the cavalry of that country。 These are all bowmen； and they always advance on the flanks of the scouts。
In this order； as I have stated； they left the city of Bisnaga； and with them a great number of merchants； besides many others who were already in advance with all supplies； so that wherever you may be you will at once find all you want。 Every captain has his merchants who are compelled to give him all supplies requisite for all his people； and in the same way they carry all other necessaries
According to the King's custom； when he wishes to lie down and sleep； they make for him a hedge of brush…wood and of thorns behind which his tent is pitched； which was done for him all along this route； on which route was seen a wonderful thing； namely that on passing a river which； when they reached it； came half…way up to the knee； before half the people had passed it was totally dry without a drop of water； and they went about in the sand of it making pits to find some water。 In this order the King proceeded till he arrived at the town of Mollabamdym；＇544＇ which is a league from the city of Rachol； where he pitched his camp so as to give a rest to the people after the fatigues of the march。
And the King being in the city of Mollabamdyn； settling all that was necessary for the siege of Rachol； there came to him people of the King of Bisnaga； and the people of Domaar； and also many other captains with an infinitude of people。 As soon as they had joined and everything was put in order； and after his Brahmans had finished their ceremonies and sacrifices； they told the King that it was now time； that the pagodas had given sign of conquest； and that he should advance。
Then he sent the Moors in the royal service to lead the van； and Camanayque； the chief of the guard； pitched the camp very near the ditches of the city of Rachol； and every captain halted his people according to the commands given。 The people of the City received them with many shots from heavy cannon that they had； and from many firelocks； and many arrows and musket…shots； so that those of the besiegers who arrived close to the ditches suffered heavily and wanted to retreat。 But the King would not permit this； saying that he would not have sent them there were it not that he would soon effect an entry into the city； and if not； that they should all die； wherefore his men were compelled to attack the city； and did so in many brave and severe fights。 In these many of them lost their lives； since those of the city were in very strong position and well acquainted with everything that was necessary for their defence； while the King's troops never ceased their attacks on the city。 The captains； seeing how badly the attack was going in consequence of the number of soldiers killed； had recourse to lavish gifts and stratagems； as thus： They began to buy （from the soldiers） the stones which they took from the walls and towers； and they paid them according to the value of the stone； so that the stones were worth ten； twenty； thirty； forty； and fifty FANAMS。＇545＇ By this device they contrived to dismantle the wall in many places； and laid the city open； but since the city was in itself so strong； and the soldiers who were in it were such chosen men and so used to warfare； they killed many of the King's people。 Yet not for that did they cease fighting； but every day and at every attack they became bolder； in consequence of their greed for what the captains gave them； for the money had the power of taking from them the terror of death which had inspired them before。 They also gave them something for dragging away a dead man from the foot of the wall。 So the fight dragged on for a space of three months till the Ydallcao came up with reinforcements。
Now I wish you to know more of the situation； and of the city； and the people which it held。 This city of Rachol lies between two great rivers； and in the midst of a great plain where there are no trees except very small ones； and there are great boulders there； from each river to the city is three leagues。 One of these rivers is the northern boundary； and beyond it the country belongs to the Ydallcao； and the other is the boundary to the south which is the boundary of Narsymga。 This plain lies in the middle of these two rivers； and there are large lakes therein and wells and some little streams where the city is situated； and a hill which looks like a woman's breast and is of natural formation。 The city has three lines of strong walls of heavy masonry made without lime； the walls are packed with earth inside； and it has on the highest point a fortress like a tower； very high and strong； at the top where the fortress stands is a spring of water which runs all the year round。 It is held to be a holy and mysterious thing that a spring which is in a lofty situation should in some way never be without water。 Besides this spring there are several tanks of water and wells； so that the citizens had no fear of being ever taken for lack of water； and there were in the city supplies for five years。 There were eight thousand men as garrison and four hundred horse and twenty elephants； and thirty catapults （TRABUCOS） which hurled heavy stones and did great damage。 The towers which are on the walls are so close together that one can hear words spoken from one to the other。 Between these and all around they posted their artillery； which consisted of two hundred heavy pieces； not to mention small ones。 As soon as the people of the city knew of the arrival of the King's troops； and after they had received a captain of the Ydallcao who came with some soldiers to the city； they closed the gates with stone and mortar。 The chief fight which takes place is on the east side； because on the north and south sides it stands on huge rocks which make it very strong； and； the city being besieged on all sides； the camp of the King was on the east side； and so was the strength of the attack。
CHAPTER 8
Of the manner in which the King had his camp； &c。
The tent of the King was surrounded by a great hedge of thorns with only one entrance； and with a gate at which stood his guards。 Inside this hedge lodged the Brahman who washes him and has charge of the idol that he always carries about with him； and also other persons who hold offices about the King's person； and eunuchs who are always to be found in his chamber。 And outside this circle all around are his guards； who watch all night at fixed spots； with this guard are quartered the officers of the household； and from thence to the front were all the other captains in their appointed posts； according as each one was entr
