NASSUK. 
147 
actually distressing them. At the same time his de- 
meanour was mild and courteous, and his gallantry 
to females such as had gained him the admiration of 
all the fair ones who had been fortunate enough to 
bestow their jewels and valuables upon him. He 
omitted no opportunity of increasing the strength of 
his band, whenever he could do so, with such mate- 
rials as his very nice discretion might select ; until, 
in the course of time, his force amounted to five 
hundred gallant horsemen, splendidly appointed, and 
mounted upon the noblest Persian chargers. 
Dherm-ben-Nassuk had frequently heard of the 
extraordinary exploits of Yakoob Lais, and the other 
deserters from his army, and had, upon several occa- 
sions, sent out expeditions against them ; but had 
never, in any case, been able to cut them off, or dis- 
cover their retreat ; indeed all his detachments had 
suffered more or less despoliation at the hands of these 
renowned marauders, without effecting any kind of 
good. At length, however, having received com- 
plaints from all quarters of very extensive robberies, 
he determined upon taking more active measures for 
the suppression of the evil, and ordered out a body 
of three hundred chosen cavalry, whom he, being 
ignorant of the increased strength of the bandit’s 
gang, supposed would easily destroy, or take them 
prisoners. The watchful captain, having received 
information of this impending scheme, immediately 
wrote a letter of remonstrance to his former chief ; 
