Malay Annals/Chapter 8

IT is related that there was a raja of great power who reigned in Shaher al Nawi, whose subjects and army were extremely numerous. Tidings were brought him one day, that the country of Samadra was a fine and flourishing land, where a great traffic was carried on, and the raja of which was extremely  powerful. Then said Raja Shaher al Nawi to his champions, who of you will take Raja Samadra.

A bold and daring champion named Avidichu replied, "if you will give me four thousand warriors, I will take him alive and bring him to you." He obtained the number of warriors, and a hundred (pelu) prows, with which he set sail, and arrived gaily at Samadra as if he had been a merchant, and as soon as he arrived,  he gave himself out as an ambassador from Raja Shaher al Nawi. Raja Samadra, as soon as he received information, sent his warriors to congratulate him. Avidichu placed forty daring warriors in chests, which opened from within, and sent them forward  to the palace, as containing the presents of Raja Shaher al Nawi; and he directed them, that when he should appear before the raja to receive audience, that they  should suddenly issue forth and seize the raja.

Avidichu proceeded to the presence of the raja, and presented the letter, which was read in due form; meantime the champions started from their chests, and suddenly seized upon the raja of Samadra. The warriors of Samadra quickly flew to their arms, and drew their weapons from their sheaths, but the warriors of Shaher al Nawi assured them that the instant they should commence their attack, they would slay the raja, and by this means the whole of the warriors of Pasei were prevented from using their weapons. Then Avidichu and his warriors returned to Raja Shaher al Nawi, with the raja of Pasei his prisoner, and  presented him to the raja, who was highly delighted, and rewarded Avidichu and his companions. As for the raja of Samadra, he appointed him his henkeeper.

It is related that after this event, Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din consulted with all the ancient mantris  of the land of Samadra, and having fitted out a ship with Arab merchandize, for at  that time all the inhabitants of Pasei were acquainted with the Arabic language, he caused all his crew to array themselves in Arab  dresses, and then going a shipboard, sailed  away to the land of Shaher al Nawi, where having landed, he went to pay his  respects to the raja, carrying with him a golden tree, the fruit of which consisted of various  kinds of gems, the value of which was a bahara of gold. The raja of Shaher al Nawi enquired what it was they desired; but Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din said, that he had no request to prefer, which augmented considerably the raja's joy. He could not, however, avoid reflecting what could be their object; they, however, all returned to their vessel.

After some time he again went to visit the raja, and carried with him a golden chess board,  the squares of which were of gems, in like manner worth a bahara of gold. The raja again demanded what was their request and he would grant it; but again they eluded his  enquiry and returned a shipboard. When the season for returning to Samadra returned, Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din again presented himself before the raja, and presented him with a couple of ducks, formed of gold, and embossed with diamonds, a male and a female, placed in a bason of water, in which  they moved and swam of their own accord, and pecked each other. The raja was surprised at the skill, and again enquired what was their request and he would grant it, and confirmed by an oath (Demmi luhin!) he would grant whatever they wanted. Then Sidi Ali Gheyas ed-din said, "If you will extend to us the royal favour, present us with the man that feeds your fowls." Raja Shaher Nawi said, "he is the raja of Pasei, but if you ask him I will give him." "We ask him," said they,"because he is of the persuasion of Islam." Then the raja presented Sultan Malec al Zaher to them, and they carried him aboard, when they bathed him, and dressed him in a raja's vestments. Immediately the wind arose, and they heaved  the anchor and set sail, and arrived at  the land of Samadra.