विक्रम चरित (उज्जैन सम्राट् विक्रमादित्य - पराक्रम, न्याय एवं ३२ पुतलियों की कथा सटीक)

183 had first travelled. The troops formed a magnificent retinue, and in a few days they reached the neighbourhood of the city. The officer of the fort received information that a great army was approaching, and he became greatly alarmed. When, however, he saw it with his own eyes, he thought proper not to lose a moment in reporting it to the king, who was also taken by surprise. He directly despatched an officer to bring authentic intelligence as to the object of this grand array of men and beasts. The officer, on reaching the advanced guard of the strange army, tried to glean some information from the soldiers, but could learn nothing satisfactory, so he returned to the king without loss of time, and informed him that he had failed in extracting anything from the men, as they were all profoundly silent. On this the king ordered his regular troops to be on the alert; and, as soon as the principal officers of state had been summoned to his presence, he ordered them to proceed with the troops, and stop the progress of the enemy, and, if need be, to engage them in battle. “ The king's army accordingly proceeded on their mission, and marched quickly to meet the forces of Prince Sewdass. The latter, seeing the hostile movement of the king's troops, and rightly guessing the cause, despatched a messenger with an epistle addressed to the king. He was ushered into the royal presence, and was received with the usual courtesies. He then delivered the packet, and informed his majesty, in addition, of every particular regarding Prince Sewdass and the minister’s son. The king and his minister could scarcely believe their senses; but after awhile, every doubt as to the identity of the persons heading the foreign troops having been removed, the court rang with cheers of joy and welcome. The king went forth in person to meet his son, and in his train followed the minister and a host of others. The two friends, Sew- dass and Hurridass, were delighted to see their respective fathers, and having alighted from their chargers, they embraced them with sincere joy and much affection. They