148 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
assuring him that he had ever retained a sincere re- 
spect for the very name of Dherm-ben-Nassuk, and 
had quitted the service from no personal dissatisfac- 
tion, but solely in consequence of his natural aversion 
to any form of servitude. He entreated, at the same 
time, that the threatened expedition might be coun- 
termanded ; inasmuch as he was most reluctant to 
engage in a conflict with those, among whom there 
would necessarily be a number of his former compa - 
triots and boon-companions ; and he concluded his 
letter by assuring Dherm-ben -Nassuk that ten times 
the strength 0 f the intended detachment would never 
be able to effect his subjection. In this earnest repre- 
sentation Dherm-ben-Nassuk saw nothing but what 
he believed to be a cunning attempt to avert impend- 
ing punishment, and he therefore delivered to Yakoob 
Lais’s messenger, as his only reply, a naked sword, 
snapped in twain near the hilt ; signifying, that no 
quarter should be given, even though his own party 
should perish in the attack. So confident was he of 
success, against a band whom he believed to be not 
one-sixth part so numerous as his own, that he gave 
his officer orders to employ only half his force, if that 
should be found sufficient, and to send the remainder 
through the country to procure carriage for the trans- 
port of the treasure, which, he doubted not, would 
be very great. At the same time he gave him strict 
injunctions not to return without the heads of those 
against whom the expedition was directed. 
