1845.] a History of Sindh. 93 



obedience and pay the tribute of several years, I will never abandon my 

 intentions respecting you." (I will never take my hands from you.) They 

 say that Bijjaj in hearing the news of the loss of the horses, des- 

 patched 2,000 others with strict injunctions not to 

 Hijjai sends rein- ,-'.'".. „ . 



forcements and orders delay m the important affairs of Dahir, but to pass 

 the river quickly and settle them first. On the re- 

 ceipt of these injunctions, Mahamed Bin Cassim having arrived at 

 Juhum, directed them to collect boats for the passage of the river, and 

 to make a bridge. Muki Bin Bisayah collected several boats, and 

 Bridge of boats. filling them with sand and stones, and fastening 

 them with wedges, made them firm one to the other. On this intel- 

 ligence Dahir wrote to his son to arrest Muki by some means for 

 his evincing such audacity. Rail the brother of Muki was with 

 Dahir, and having formerly been an enemy to his brother, said, 

 11 Entrust this order to me, and I will go and bring my brother ; I will 

 moreover pledge myself to prevent the passage of the river." At this 

 time, by the help of God, the army of Islam having prepared the boats 

 began to cross, and with showers of arrows dispersed the Infidels 

 who dared to oppose them on the opposite shore. A large party 

 arrived on the other side, and having cleared the shore of their 

 The Moslems cross enemies, took up a position, until the rest of the 

 army should have passed safely. It is said, that 

 swift horsemen of the unbelievers, by travelling all night, conveyed the 

 news to Dahir early the next morning: he was still asleep when they 

 announced it ; the groom roused Dahir, who, when he awoke from a 

 tranquil sleep, was so much annoyed that he struck the messenger on 

 the face so heavily with his slipper, that he died immediately. In 

 short, Dahir being astonished and dismayed, knew not what to do : 

 when Mahamed Cassim had crossed the whole of his army, he pro- 

 claimed to his troops—" The river is in our rear and the enemy in 

 Bin Cassim exhorts front: whoever is ready to yield his life, which act 

 his troops. will be rewarded with eternal felicity in such a 



cause, let him remain and have the honor of conflict ; and any amongst 

 you who, on second consideration, does not feel able to oppose the 

 enemy, let him recollect that the road of flight is not open — he will 

 assuredly fall into the hands of the Infidels, or else be drowned in the 

 river, and thus suffer disgrace, which is the worst of all evils in religious 



p 



