some, wounded others, confined the rest, and putting the dead man's head into the Calmuc's hands, they sent him to Ferokh-siar, who loaded him with favours. This event happened just at the time when intelligence of Bahadur-shah's demise was received, and when Hussein Ali-khan was gone on an expedition in order to quiet some distant parts of his government.
This period of suspense was seized by Ferokh-siar, and before intelligence could arrive of any of the deceased emperor's children having ascended the throne, he caused the public prayers at the mosques to be read in the name of his father Azim-ush-shan. Having reflected on the importance of this proceeding, and dreading the consequences of his precipitancy, he sent a message to Hussein Ali-khan, the governor of the province, justifying his conduct, and at the same time desiring his attendance. Some days after, the governor returned to Azimabad Patna; but as he did not seem disposed to form any connection with Ferokh-siar, he was visited by the prince's mother, who conciliated him by promising to place at his disposal all the affairs of the empire; and after putting into his hands her own Coran, which she had brought for the purpose, she swore by it that he should never repent of the union. This interview calmed the governor's apprehension, and entirely
