68 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
appears that this blow, which would have quenched 
the spirit of all ordinary combatants, did not in the 
present instance put an immediate end to the fight ; 
for all authentic histories of that time affirm that 
the engagement between the commanders was hotly 
kept up until midnight, and the headless chief con- 
tinued to struggle on with unabated courage, although 
his blows w'ere dealt with less effect than heretofore ; 
and step by step he was compelled to retreat. At 
last, fainting from loss of blood, his weapon became 
useless in his hand, and he fell lifeless to the earth, in 
a vain attempt to reach the stream of water which 
may be seen in the accompanying drawing. 
Some historians relate that this wonderful hero 
carried his head under his arm during his retreat, 
carefully protecting it with his shield against further 
injury. By others it is affirmed that the still sensible 
head rolled beside its valorous owner, encouraging 
him to the contest, by uttering loud unearthly shouts 
of applause upon all his efforts, and hoarse curses 
against his enemy. A third account maintains that 
the head followed and rejoined the trunk on the 
return of day, fearing that it might be confounded 
with the pusillanimous thousands which covered the 
field of battle. Whichever be the true version of the 
legend, all agree that the body of this sanctified 
warrior was in the morning found complete where his 
mangled trunk had fallen ; and the faithful assure 
the visitor that many miracles which were wrought 
