THE GREAT MOGUL. 203
sent
back to his rebel vassal the wife and children whom he had held as
hostages. Notwithstanding their war there remained a good deal of
kindly feeling between Emir Jemla and the King, his master. For example
: one day his Majesty being straitly besieged in his fortress was
informed by his Dutch cannonier that Emir Jemla was riding within
range. "Shall I take off his head for your Highness ?" asked the
Dutchman. The King, very wroth, replied: '•No; learn that not so
lightly is esteemed the life of a prince." The cannonier, not to be
balked of his artillery practice, cut in twain the body of a general
who was riding not far from Emir Jemla.
On
his side also Emir Jemla was anxious not to reduce the King to
extremities and refused to prosecute the siege to the uttermost, which
much disgusted his ally Aurungzeb. Rather he would treat with his
ancient master, who gladly accepted the chance of deliverance,
appealing to Shah Jehan himself against his son. The emperor
