12 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
bers, gave an alarm,, and prepared to resist his en- 
trance. He was almost instantly surrounded, but 
with an air of undaunted confidence he told them that 
he was a hunter who, together with his followers, had 
been led into the wilderness in pursuit of deer; night 
had unexpectedly overtaken them, and they had lost 
their way. This was sufficient to excite the hospi- 
tality of the desert tribes. Having prepared an 
apartment which had been hollowed out under the 
surface of the ground, they lighted a fire, and laid 
what homely refreshments their domestic stores af- 
forded before the fatigued and hungry strangers. After 
having passed a night upon coarse rugs, and under blan- 
kets filled with fleas, they took their departure at the 
first blush of day, accompanied by the good wishes of 
their hospitable entertainer. Timur did not neglect 
these people after he ascended the imperial throne; 
but, recollecting their hospitality, he sent for and 
liberally rewarded them. 
