42 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
their steeds with large pieces of felt, which protected 
them from the weapons of Timur’s harassed and di- 
spirited squadrons. The attack, though extremely 
vigorous, was repelled with such resolution that the 
prince was obliged to retreat, but he quickly rallied 
his exhausted forces, and brought them again to the 
charge with desperate energy. His whole army must 
have been cut off, had not the Jete general been slain 
in the very act of striking Timur with his sabre. 
The enemy suddenly retreated upon the fall of their 
general, and were pursued by their foes, who halted 
on the plain, and ordered the trumpet of victory to 
be sounded. 
Next morning the Jetes, who had rallied, appeared 
to dispute the field, and the battle was renewed. 
Though Timur was left with only two thousand 
horse, he again repulsed them with terrible slaughter. 
They fled a second time, pursued by the victorious 
prince; but being reinforced by a party of their own 
troops, who had been separated from them on the 
previous day, they returned to the charge, and the 
struggle recommenced. At length, Timur, being op- 
pressed by numbers, was forced to give way, and a 
dreadful carnage ensued. A great multitude perished 
on both sides in the sloughs and marshes. Upon the 
whole, more than ten thousand were slain : Timur 
lost at least one half of his army. After this severe 
check, Hussyn crossed the Oxus with the officers under 
his command, and retired from the neighbourhood. 
His brave confederate, however, resolved to remain 
and oppose the Jetes; but finding all his efforts un- 
successful, he finally repaired to Balkh to recruit his 
shattered battalions. 
