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SIYAR-UL-MUTAKHERIN.
15

tune and crown, I must tell you once for all, that I believe you are much likelier to be so yourselves than he, and that this child, in case of need, will prove himself at all times more anxious for my preservation than any of you." Fortune having put an end to the contest with Mahomed Aazem, his ministers and generals joined Assed-khan, the vezir, and Zulficar-khan; and the whole went in a body to pay their homage to Sultan Muazem, who was now every where recognized by the title of Bahadur-shah. The Vezir Assed-khan, and his son Zulficar-khan, with their hands bound with a handkerchief, presented themselves in that condition. At this sight the emperor rose from his place, and with his own hands set the vezir's hands at liberty; turning, at the same time, to his son Moiz-ed-din, he desired him to loosen those of Zulficar-khan. Not content with this mark of condescension, he spoke with the utmost kindness to both father and son, especially to the former; and sending for one of his own suits of clothes, he ordered him to put it on directly—an honour seldom conferred on a subject. When he saw him dressed, he advanced, and embracing him, made him sit down in the presence. He conferred on him the command and pay of a division of seven thousand cavalry, with the grade attached to one of nine; added to which he ordered him a pre-