Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/164

158 about to embrace him round the shoulder in the friendly oriental way, when he was suddenly clutched with fingers of steel. The Maráthá's hands were armed with 'tiger's claws' – steel nails as sharp as razors – and his embrace was as deadly as the Scottish 'Maiden's.' Afzal died without a groan. Then the Marathá. trumpet sounded the attack, and from every rock and tree armed ruffians fell upon the Bíjápúrís, who were awaiting the return of their general in careless security. There was no time to think of fighting, it was a case of sauve qui peut. They found they had to deal with a lenient foe, however. Sivají had gained his object, and he never indulged in useless bloodshed. He offered quarter. and gained the subdued troopers over to his own standard. It was enough for him to have secured all the baggage. stores, treasure, horses. and elephants of the enemy, without slaking an unprofitable thirst for blood.

Once more the forces of Bíjápúr came out to crush him, and again they retreated in confusion. After this the Deccan sovereign left him unmolested to gather fresh recruits, build new forts, and plunder as he pleased. His brigandage was colossal, but it was conducted under strict rules. He seized caravans and convoys and appropriated their treasure, but he permitted no sacrilege to mosques and no dishonouring of women. If a Korán were taken, he gave it reverently to some Muhammadan. If women were captured, he protected them till they were ransomed. There was nothing of the libertine or brute about Sivají. In the