Malay Annals/Chapter 23

THERE was a raja of Moloco, who fled to Malaca, when Castela (Castile) conquered his country. At the time of his arrival Raja Racan and Tun Talani were at Malaca, and the raja of Moloco was much beloved by the raja of Malaca, and was presented with a complete honorary dress.

The Moloco Prince was very skilful at football, and all the young nobles set about learning it from him. A hundred hundred times would he receive the ball on his foot, and keep it up without falling, and when he was to deliver it to another, he would send it directly upon the person who was to receive it.

When he sat down in a chair, after this exercise, all the young nobles would run to fan him, and when the ball was returned to him, he would send it up to the top of the hall, and following it up there, he would keep it up on the top of the hall as long as one would be eating a luncheon, and then he would bring it down and deliver it to another. Such was his skill at football. Also when a bamboo winnowing fan was suspended, he would pierce it with his spear. Sultan Alla ed din, who was very stout, could do the same with his arrows; and he was so pleased with the Moloco Prince, that he agreed to restore him to his kingdom, and deliver it out of the hand of Castela.

After staying some time at Malaca, he accompanied Tun Talani to Tringano. Now the raja of Pahang, Sultan Muhammed Shah, heard that Tun Talani had visited Malaca without consulting him, and he sent Sri Agra di Raja to Tringano to kill Tun Talani. When Sri Agra di Raja arrived at Tringano, he sent to call Tun Talani, who refused to come; saying, "he knew it was the custom of champions to be summoned by those of equal rank." Then Sri Agra di Raja hired a man to kill Tun Talani ; and it was the pleasure of Almighty God, that Tun Talani so perished.

Then Sri Agra di Raja returned to Pahang, and the raja bestowed on him the rank of Tun Talani, to descend to all his posterity. Then the bandahara of Pahang represented, that it was wrong to have put Tun Talani to death; and that it would certainly excite the indignation of the raja of Malaca. Then said the Sultan of Pahang, "What do you talk about the raja of Malaca? I ought to be the raja of Malaca, being both older than the raja of Malaca, and appointed to the succession by the deceased raja during his lifetime.

If the bandahara is afraid, we had better prepare our means. I will take possession of Malaca myself."When he said this, he was seated on his elephant, Kenyang. "And look you," said he, "how I will attack the hall of state of the raja of Malaca." On this he impelled forward his elephant, and attacked his own hall, which it instantly overset, crushing and destroying all the furniture. All the nobles of Pahang were astonished to behold the bearing of the raja; and they all remained silent without uttering a word.

All the family of the deceased Tun Talani fled for refuge to Malaca, and represented the matter to the Sultan Alla ed din, and how Tun Talani had been murdered by the raja of Pahang. They also related all the conduct of the raja of Pahang. Sultan Alla ed din said in great wrath, "the raja of Pahang wishes to show his bravery at my expence. I have a good design to attack Pahang myself." The bandahara Paduca Raja however represented that if any thing unpleasant had occurred, it would be better to send the laksamana as ambassador to Pahang, who was a great champion. To this the raja assented, and the laksamana set out on his embassy to Pahang.

When the Pahang raja was informed of his arrival, he dispatched Sri Vicrama Raja, the pengulu bandahari of Pahang, with a double white umbrella, the gendang drum, flute, trumpet, and nagarets, to conduct him to court. Then the laksamana signified to one of his confidential friends, that if the letter of Malaca should be read in the public hall, they should avail themselves of that opportunity to kill a person of the family of Sri Agra di Raja. The person agreed to the proposal. The letter arrived, and all those who were on the dais, descended, except the raja, and it was read; and after it was read, all the nobles mounted and resumed their places.

Then the laksamana paid his compliments, and seated himself; when a loud hubbub arose without, and the sultan of Pahang enquired who made the noise. He was informed, that one of the laksamanas had run amok, and slain the brother of Sri Agra di Raja. The raja told the laksamana what one of his men had done. "If that is the case," said the laksamana, "I will order my men to take, bind him, and bring him here."

The man was brought up accordingly, and the laksamana asked if it was true. "It is true, I have slain him," said the person. "He confesses it, Sire," said the laksamana, "but nevertheless I cannot consent to his being anywise punished, on account of the grievous crime of Sri Agra di Raja towards the raja of Malaca, in killing Tun Talani at Tringano, and not announcing it at Malaca."

This observation made the colour wither on the raja's face; and he said, "I ordered this Talani to be put to death, on account of his disrespectful language, and asserting that the country was under his influence; but this matter rests entirely between the laksamana and Sri Agra di Raja; and nobody else has any thing to do with it." Then the laksamana and Sri Agra di Raja took leave, and went to bury the corpse.

In a short time after, the laksamana asked permission to return to Malaca, where he arrived, and related all that took place on the Pahang embassy to the raja, who was greatly pleased by the laksamana's management, and ordered an honorary dress, such as worn by young princes.