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oon as they had joined and everything was put in order； and after his Brahmans had finished their ceremonies and sacrifices； they told the King that it was now time； that the pagodas had given sign of conquest； and that he should advance。
Then he sent the Moors in the royal service to lead the van； and Camanayque； the chief of the guard； pitched the camp very near the ditches of the city of Rachol； and every captain halted his people according to the commands given。 The people of the City received them with many shots from heavy cannon that they had； and from many firelocks； and many arrows and musket…shots； so that those of the besiegers who arrived close to the ditches suffered heavily and wanted to retreat。 But the King would not permit this； saying that he would not have sent them there were it not that he would soon effect an entry into the city； and if not； that they should all die； wherefore his men were compelled to attack the city； and did so in many brave and severe fights。 In these many of them lost their lives； since those of the city were in very strong position and well acquainted with everything that was necessary for their defence； while the King's troops never ceased their attacks on the city。 The captains； seeing how badly the attack was going in consequence of the number of soldiers killed； had recourse to lavish gifts and stratagems； as thus： They began to buy （from the soldiers） the stones which they took from the walls and towers； and they paid them according to the value of the stone； so that the stones were worth ten； twenty； thirty； forty； and fifty FANAMS。＇545＇ By this device they contrived to dismantle the wall in many places； and laid the city open； but since the city was in itself so strong； and the soldiers who were in it were such chosen men and so used to warfare； they killed many of the King's people。 Yet not for that did they cease fighting； but every day and at every attack they became bolder； in consequence of their greed for what the captains gave them； for the money had the power of taking from them the terror of death which had inspired them before。 They also gave them something for dragging away a dead man from the foot of the wall。 So the fight dragged on for a space of three months till the Ydallcao came up with reinforcements。
Now I wish you to know more of the situation； and of the city； and the people which it held。 This city of Rachol lies between two great rivers； and in the midst of a great plain where there are no trees except very small ones； and there are great boulders there； from each river to the city is three leagues。 One of these rivers is the northern boundary； and beyond it the country belongs to the Ydallcao； and the other is the boundary to the south which is the boundary of Narsymga。 This plain lies in the middle of these two rivers； and there are large lakes therein and wells and some little streams where the city is situated； and a hill which looks like a woman's breast and is of natural formation。 The city has three lines of strong walls of heavy masonry made without lime； the walls are packed with earth inside； and it has on the highest point a fortress like a tower； very high and strong； at the top where the fortress stands is a spring of water which runs all the year round。 It is held to be a holy and mysterious thing that a spring which is in a lofty situation should in some way never be without water。 Besides this spring there are several tanks of water and wells； so that the citizens had no fear of being ever taken for lack of water； and there were in the city supplies for five years。 There were eight thousand men as garrison and four hundred horse and twenty elephants； and thirty catapults （TRABUCOS） which hurled heavy stones and did great damage。 The towers which are on the walls are so close together that one can hear words spoken from one to the other。 Between these and all around they posted their artillery； which consisted of two hundred heavy pieces； not to mention small ones。 As soon as the people of the city knew of the arrival of the King's troops； and after they had received a captain of the Ydallcao who came with some soldiers to the city； they closed the gates with stone and mortar。 The chief fight which takes place is on the east side； because on the north and south sides it stands on huge rocks which make it very strong； and； the city being besieged on all sides； the camp of the King was on the east side； and so was the strength of the attack。
CHAPTER 8
Of the manner in which the King had his camp； &c。
The tent of the King was surrounded by a great hedge of thorns with only one entrance； and with a gate at which stood his guards。 Inside this hedge lodged the Brahman who washes him and has charge of the idol that he always carries about with him； and also other persons who hold offices about the King's person； and eunuchs who are always to be found in his chamber。 And outside this circle all around are his guards； who watch all night at fixed spots； with this guard are quartered the officers of the household； and from thence to the front were all the other captains in their appointed posts； according as each one was entrusted and ordered。 Outside of all these people； in a camp by themselves； were the scouts of whom I have already spoken； whose duty it is to patrol all night through the camp and watch to see if they can catch any spies。 On the other side the washermen； （who are those that wash clothes） were in a camp by themselves； and they were near to the place where they could best wash clothes。
All the camp was divided into regular streets。 Each captain's division has its market； where you found all kinds of meat； such as sheep； goats； pigs； fowls； hares； partridges and other birds； and this in great abundance； so much so that it would seem as if you were in the city of Bisnaga。 And you found many endless kinds of rice； grains； Indian…corn； vetches （MINGUO）；＇546＇ and other seeds that they eat。 Besides these things； which are necessaries； they had another （market） where you could find in great abundance everything that you wanted； for in these markets they sell things that in our parts are sold by professional hucksters。＇547＇ There were craftsmen； also； working in their streets； so that you saw made there golden jewels and gewgaws； and you will find all kinds of rubies and diamonds and pearls； with every other kind of precious stone for sale。 There also were to be seen sellers of cloths； and these were without number as that is a thing so many want； they being of cotton。 There were also to be seen grass and straw in infinite abundance。 I do not know who could describe it so as to be believed； so barren a country is this Rachol and so sandy。 It is a mystery how there should be an abundance of everything therein。 Any one can imagine what grass and straw would be required each day for the consumption of thirty…two thousand four hundred horses and five hundred and fifty…one elephants；＇548＇ to say nothing of the sumpter…mules and asses； and the great numbers of oxen which carry all the supplies and many other burdens； such as tents and other things。 Indeed no one who did not understand the meaning of what he saw would ever dream that a war was going on； but would think that he was in a prosperous city。 Then to see the numbers of drums and trumpets； and other musical instruments that they use。 When they strike up their music as sign that they are about to give battle it would seem as if the heavens must fall； and if it happened that a bird came flying along at the time when they made such a terrific noise； it used to come down through terror of not being able to get clear of the camp； and so they would catch it in their hands； principally kites； of which they caught many。
But I cease to speak more of this because I should never finish； and so I turn to tell of the battle。
CHAPTER 9
How the King attacked the city of Rachol。
The King； being as I have said at the siege of the city of Rachol； there came to him sure news that the Ydallcao had arrived at the river on the northern side； and that there he had pitched his camp。 The King therefore sent his spies to keep watch over the foe； to see what he was doing and to send w