s governor； and soon he raised up the prince to be king； retaining in his own hands the treasures and revenues and the government of the country。
At that time a captain who wished him ill； determined to kill the prince； with a view afterwards to say that Narsenaque had bidden him commit the murder； he being the minister to whom the government of the kingdom had been entrusted； and he thought that for this act of treason Narsenaque would be put to death。 And he soon so arranged it that the prince was killed one night by one of his pages who had been bribed for that purpose； and who slew the prince with a sword。 As soon as Narsenaque heard that he was dead； and learned that he himself （was supposed to have） sent to kill him； he raised up another brother of the late King's to be king； not being able further to punish this captain； because he had many relations； until after he had raised this younger brother to be king； who was called Tamarao。 He （Narsenaque） went out one day from the city of Bisnaga towards Nagumdym； saying that he was going hunting； leaving all his household in the city。 And after he had arrived at this city of Nagumdym he betook himself to another called Penagumdim；＇508＇ which is four…and…twenty leagues from that place； where he at once made ready large forces and many horses and elephants； and then sent to tell the King Tamarao of the cause of his going； relating to him the treason that that captain by name Tymarsaa＇509＇ had carried out slaying his brother the king； and by whose death he （the prince） had inherited the kingdom。 He told him how that the kingdom had been entrusted to him by his father； as well as the care of himself and his brother； that as this man had killed his brother； so he would do to him in the same way； for he was a traitor； and he urged that for that reason it was necessary to punish him。 But the king at that time was very fond of that captain； since by reason of him he had become King； and in place of punishing him he bestowed favour on him and took his part against the minister。 And； seeing this； Narsenaque went against him with large forces； and besieged him； threatening him for four or five days； until the King； seeing his determination； commanded Timarsaa to be put to death； after which he （the King） sent the （traitor's） head to be shown to the minister； who greatly rejoiced。 Narsenaque sent away all the troops and entered the city； where he was very well received by all the people； by whom he was much loved as being a man of much justice。
And after some days and years had passed； Narsenaque； seeing the age of the king how young he was； determined to keep him in the city of Penagumdy； with large guards to make safe his person； and to give him 20；000 cruzados of gold every year for his food and expenses； and himself to govern the kingdom for it had been entrusted to him by the king his lord so to do。 After this had been done he told the King that he desired to go to Bisnaga to do certain things that would tend to the benefit of the kingdom； and the King； pleased at that； told him that so it should be； thinking that now he himself would be more his own master and not be so liable to be checked by him。 And after he had departed and arrived at Bisnaga； Narsenaque sent the King 20；000 men for his guard； as he had arranged； and he sent as their captain Timapanarque； a man in whom he much confided； （commanding him） that he should not allow the King to leave the city； and that he should carefully guard his person against treachery。
And after this was done Narsenaque began to make war on several places； taking them and demolishing them because they had revolted。 At that time it was proposed by some captains that they should kill the King； as he was not a man fitted to govern； but to this Narsenaque would answer nothing。 After some days had passed； however； Narsenaque； pondering on the treason about which they had spoken to him； how it would increase his greatness and more easily make him lord of the kingdom of which he was （only） minister； called one day those same captains who had often proposed it to him； and asked them by what means the King could be slain without its being known that he had had a hand in his death。 Then one man＇510＇ told him that a very good way would be that he （the minister） should appear to be annoyed with him and should send to command his presence； which mandate he would not obey； and on account of this act of disrespect he （the minister） should ordain that some punishment be inflicted； and at this aggravation he would leave the city and fly to Penagundy to stir up the King against the minister。 He said that after he had gained the goodwill of the King he would so plot against him that he would render him disobedient； and that to give the King greater encouragement he would forge letters as if from captains which should contain the same counsel namely； that he should leave that city where he was more prisoner than free and would point out to him that he alone was king and lord； and yet that the land was under the power of Narasenaque his vassal； who had made himself very strong and powerful in the kingdom and held him （the King） prisoner； and had rebelled。 He would urge the King to secretly quit the city and betake himself to a fortress belonging to the captain who had sent him that letter； and that there he should prepare himself； getting together a large following。 And he would tell him that when the lords and captains came to know of his wish and determination they would act according to it； and would help him； and would come with him to fall upon Narsenayque； and would bestow upon him （Narsenaque） the prison in which he （the King） was now kept。 So he would be king。 （The captain further said） that after he had persuaded the King to this he would cause him to （leave the city）； and while going out he would kill him； and that in this way Narsenaque should become king。
Narsenayque was well pleased to listen to this treason and to hear of the evil deed which this captain planned； and he showed him much favour。 The captain disappeared after some days from where Narsenayque was； feigning to have fled； and he came to Penagumdy； where in a few days his arrival was known； and he set about and put in hand all those things that had been arranged。 Every day he showed the King a letter； one day from a captain of one fortress； the next day another from another captain； and the King； understanding the plots contained in the letters so shown； replied that the counsel and advice seemed good； and yet how could he resist the power of Narsenayque； who； besides being minister of the kingdom； had （possession of） all the horses and elephants and treasure； so that he could at once make war against him？ 〃True it is； Sire； that which thou sayest；〃 answered the traitor； 〃and yet he is much misliked by all the captains who raised thee to be king； and as soon as they shall see thee in Chaodagary〃＇511＇ （which was a fortress whither he had advised him to flee； being one which up to that time was independent）； 〃all will flock to thine aid； since they esteem it a just cause。〃 Said the King； 〃Since this is so； how dost thou propose that I should leave this place； so that my going should not be known to the guards and to the 20；000 men who surround me in this city？〃 〃Sire；〃 he replied； 〃I will disclose to thee a very good plan； thou and I will go forth by this thy garden； and from thence by a postern gate which is in the city （wall）； and which I know well； and the guards； seeing thee alone without any following； will not know that it is thou； the King； and thus we shall pass to the outside of the city； where I will have horses ready that will take us whithersoever it seemeth good to thee。〃 All this pleased the King well； and he placed everything in his hands； and； seeing fulfilled all his desire； the captain spoke with those men who guarded that part of the garden by which he wished that the King should fly； and which was near the King's own houses； （for into this garden the King often went to amuse himself with his wives； which garden was at that part guarded by a matter of 300 armed men） and to these men he spoke thus； saying to them： 〃If ye shall happen to see me pass by here on such a night and at such an hour； and if ye shall see a man coming with me； slay him； for he well deserves it of me； and I will reward ye；〃 and they all said that that would be a very small service to do for him。 When that day had passed the traitor went to the King and said to him： 〃Sire； do not put off till to…morrow that which thou hast to do to…day； for I have the horses ready for thy escape； and have planned so to escort thee forth that even thy ladies shall not be aware of thy departure； nor any other person。 Come； Sire； to the garden； where I will await thee。〃 The King replied that his words were good and so he would do； and as soon as night was come and the hour arrived； the King went carefully out； and still more careful was he who for some time had awaited him； and he gave signal to the armed men； and as soon as he was come to the garden he passed between two of them who were the guards； and they threw themselves on the King and slew him； and forthwith buried him at the foot of a tree in the same garden。 And this being accomplished without their knowing whom they had slain； the traitor gave them his thanks； and returned to his inn to make ready to leave the city； and also so as not to give cause for talk therein。 And the next morning it was found that the King was missing； and though searched for throughout all the city no news of him could be heard； all the people thinking that he had fled somewhere； whence he would make war on Narsenayque。 And to Narsenayque the news was straightway brought； and he； feigning much sorrow at it； yet made ready all his horses and elephants in case the kingdom should be plunged into some revolution by the death of the king； although as yet he knew not for certain how the matter stood； save that the King had disappeared。 And afterwards the man came who had killed the King； and told him how it had been done and how secretly he had been slain； so that even the very men who had killed him knew not who it was； and Narsenayque bestowed upon him rich reward。 And since there was no new