“The contents of the king’s letter which had arrived were as follows.  After the usual compliments and tenders of service and devotion, [the king] had written, ’That according to the orders of your highness, the situation of governor of the fort has been conferred upon this Musalman, and a khil’at [336] has been bestowed on him.  He is now at liberty to put the former governor to death; and all his effects and money now belong to this Musalman; he may do with him what he pleases.  I hope my fault will be forgiven.’  The mother of the Brahmans was pleased with the letter, and said, ’Let the music strike up in the naubat-khana of the pagoda.’  Then she sent with me five hundred well-armed soldiers, who were good marksmen [337] with the musket, to go with me, and gave them orders to go to the port, seize its governor, and deliver him up to this Musalman, in order that he may put him to death with what torture he pleases.  Also let them take care that, except this honoured [Musalman], no one be permitted to enter the [governor’s] seraglio, and let them deliver over his money and effects [untouched to the new governor].  When he sends them back with his own accord, let them get a letter of approbation from him, and return to me.’  She then gave me a complete dress from the wardrobe of the great idol, and having caused me to mount, she dismissed me.

“When I reached the port, one of my men proceeded before me, and informed the governor [of my arrival].  He was sitting like one in great perplexity, when I arrived my heart was already filled with rage; on seeing the harbour-master, I drew my sword, and struck him such a blow on the neck, that his head flew off like a stalk of Indian corn.  Then having ordered the agents, the treasurers, the superintendants and other officials to be seized, I took full possession of the records; and then I entered the seraglio.  There I met the princess; we embraced each other most tenderly, and wept, and praised the goodness of God; we wiped each other’s tears; I then came out and sat on the masnad, and gave khil’ats to the officers [of the port], and re-established them in their respective situations; to the servants and slaves I gave promotion.  To those people who had come as an escort from the temple, I gave presents and gratuities, and having bestowed dresses on their officers, I dismissed them.  Then having taken with me jewels of great value, and pieces of fine cloth, and shawls, and brocaded stuffs and goods, and rarities of every region, and a large sum of money as a nazar [338] for the king, and for the nobles, according to their respective ranks, and for the priests and priestesses, to be divided among them, after one week I went to the idol-temple and laid the presents before the old woman.