हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

41 indignantly asked those who were about him if there was any among his numerous followers who could, from that distance, kill that woman with one arrow. One of the chiefs present answered that he knew one man only who could do this, and that man was Uddânasingh, whom the king had in cap- tivity. The captive was at once released and brought before Alâu'ddîn, who commanded him to show his skill in archery against the fair target. Uddânasingh did as he was bid, and in an instant the fair form of the courtesan, being struck, fell down headlong from the fort wall. This incident roused the ire of Mahimâsâhi, who requested permission of the king to be allowed to do the same service to 'Alâu'ddîn that he had done to poor Râdhâ Dêvî. The king replied that he well knew the extraordinary skill in archery possessed by his friend, but that he was loth 'Alâu'd-dîn should be so killed, as his death would deprive him of a valiant enemy with whom he could at pleasure hold passages of arms. Mahim âsâhi then dropped the arrow he had adjusted on his bowstring on Uddânasingh, and killed him. This feat of Mahimâsâhi so intimidated 'Alâu'ddîn that he at once removed his camp from the eastern side of the lake to its western side where there was greater protection from such attacks. When the camp was removed, the Rajputs were able to perceive that the enemy, by working underground, had prepared mines, and had attempted to throw over a part of the ditch a temporary bridge of wood and grass carefully covered over with earth. The Râjputs de- stroyed this bridge with their cannon, and, pouring burning oil into the mines, destroyed those that were working underground. In this manner all 'Alâu'ddîn's efforts to take the fort were frustrated. At the same time he was greatly harassed by the rain, which now fell in torrents. He therefore sent a message to Hammîra, asking him kindly to send over to his camp Rati- pâla, as he desired very much to speak with him, with a view F