48 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
advance against him, this general likewise fled. In 
the pursuit, the conqueror perceiving the wife of Amyr 
Musa, who had been abandoned in her flight by 
Melk Behader, rode after and overtook her. Being 
then, with child, and the term of her confinement 
completed, she was next day brought to bed of a 
daughter, whom Timur subsequently married. 
The capture of Karshy was certainly one of the most 
extraordinary acts of daring upon record, and the 
success was equal to the daring. When Hussyn was 
informed of the circumstance, his anger knew no 
bounds : he abused his generals in the first place for 
having allowed his rival to surprise so strong a for- 
tress, and in the next, for having suffered themselves 
with twelve thousand men to be defeated by an insig- 
nificant troop of three hundred ; but they might have 
fairly replied — These were headed by Prince Timur/’ 
When that conqueror had settled the government of 
Karshy, he returned to Makhan, where he had left the 
main body of his forces. Meanwhile Hussyn sent his 
general, Musa, to attempt the recovery of Karshy, 
but his troops were again defeated with immense loss 
by Timur, who hastened to its relief with six hundred 
men, made prisoners of Musa’s principal officers, and 
secured a considerable booty. The victor resolved not 
to allow the enemy time to recover their loss, but to 
march without delay against Amyr Hussyn : as, how- 
ever, his officers declined engaging in the enterprise, he 
was obliged to alter his plans, and repair to Samer- 
kund. Upon his arrival before that city, which was 
then in Hussyn’s possession, he sent a message to the 
governor, commanding its surrender ; but that officer 
