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

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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