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CONQUESTS OF THE SARACENS. 341 



the morning sun, the conflict was renewed; and 

 while the armies were engaged with equal fury and 

 obstinacy, the crimson banners of the advanced 

 guard of the Syrian reinforcement made its appear- 

 ance, and in three fierce and successful charges, 

 contributed greatly to damp the ardour of the Per- 

 sians. From this well-timed assistance, the Day of 

 Succour obtained its name. It was signalized by 

 the heroism of a Mohammedan warrior, Mahujen, 

 who, for having indulged too freely in the use of 

 wine, was doing penance by order of his general in 

 one of the chambers of the castle. Seenig the 

 battle raging below, he could not restrain his enthu- 

 siasm ; and having prevailed with one of the female 

 attendants, Selma,toundo his fetters, under promise 

 of returninp- in the evening, he mounted a piebald 

 charger, and sallied into the field. His extraordinary 

 prowess was instrumental in securing the victory ; 

 and as his person had not been discovered, he re- 

 sumed his chains and his captivity, in strict conform- 

 ity with his engagement. Saad, who had witnessed 

 the seasonable gallantry of the intrepid stranger, 

 was surprised to find himself indebted to the inter- 

 position of his own prisoner ; he embraced him with 

 great affection ; presented him with the mare and the 

 armour he had used with so much distinction ; re- 

 leased him forthwith from his confinement, and from 

 all restriction in future with regard to his favourite 

 indulgence. The loss of the Moslems in this single 

 action is stated at 2000, and that of the Persians at 



10,000 men. 



On the third morning, the contest was again com- 

 menced ; and if we may conjecture from the title of 

 the Day of Cormorants, the carnage must have ex- 

 ceeded that of the preceding. The Arabs shouted 

 one universal tecbir to terrify the enemy ; yet such 

 was the desperate pertinacity with which both sides 

 maintained their ground, that " when the ministers 

 of destiny," to use the flowery language of the East- 

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