66 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
through the rocky mountain passes in the direction 
of Elichpoor, a countless host of the benighted flying 
before a little handful of the faithful. Yet no sooner 
did the routed Hindoos fairly behold the extraordi- 
nary disproportion between the two forces, than 
recovering from their panic, they once more rallied, 
and offered an effectual resistance to their pursuers. 
Hereupon, again taking heart, they hotly attacked 
the enemy in their turn, and hemming them in on 
all sides, commenced an exterminating and merciless 
slaughter. Perplexed by the intersecting defiles, 
ravines, and complicated passes, by which they were 
surrounded, the little band of Mohummedans knew 
they could never make good a retreat, and their only 
alternative was to endeavour to advance by cutting 
a way through their swarming opponents. 
Raiman Shah Doola was in himself a host, and 
thousands of the infidels fell beneath his mighty arm ; 
until, at last, the two commanders chanced to meet 
face to face. They paused ; and, letting fall their 
weapons’ points upon the earth, surveyed each his 
foe from head to foot, and appeared to regard each 
other with looks of disappointment and surprise, 
mixed with contempt. u That such a one as this,” 
thought either chief, “ should dare to stand in my 
path ! What is he more than many vaunting cham- 
pions who have been reduced to drink of the cold 
waters of death at my hand ? ” Thus the heroes 
paused ; and, as it were with mutual consent, stepped 
