14 HISTORY OF ACHMET MOCTAR AND SIDI ALL 
his troop and of himself was sworn. In this extremity he 
adopted a plan worthy of a consummate general, which was 
to prevent the junction of the hostile armies ; accordingly, 
he first marched against the Braknas, who were intimidated 
by this resolution. The boldness of Sidi Ali procured him an 
easy victory. The Braknas, who had no cause for personal 
hatred against him, and who fought with reluctance, soon 
fled, leaving eighty of their princes on the field of battle. 
Sidi Ali, without vv^asting in pursuit that time which is always 
precious to a victorious army, instantly fell upon the Trarsas, 
reminding the princes who accompanied him, that they had 
now to recover their slaves and flocks which Achmet had 
divided among his partisans. 
The combat soon became furious ; Sidi Ali was seen 
bending forward on his horse, darting from rank to rank to 
animate his soldiers, with a rapidity which, like that of light- 
ning, the eye could scarcely follow. Both sides fought with 
equal obstinacy. The first of the Trarsa warriors fell, and 
seemed by his fate to give victory to the enemy ; but the desire 
of revenging his death redoubled the courage of his country- 
men, who in their turn broke the ranks of Sidi Ali, and the 
confusion soon became general : his camp was taken, and he 
had no other refuge than distant deserts. , 
' Achmet, pursuing his victory, penetrated to the tent 
which his nephew had occupied. The first object which met 
his sight, was the wife of this unfortunate prince, mutilated 
