58 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
Timur employed his artifices to foment the difference, 
which at length rose to such a height that they 
divided their forces and fought. Before they could 
recover from the effects of this conflict, their shatter- 
ed battalions were attacked by the vigilant foe, who 
compelled them to fly, and leave a considerable spoil 
to the victors. Shortly after this, he quelled an in- 
surrection of the princes of Badukhshan. 
Hussyn’s enmity against his friend was rather aug- 
mented than abated by these successes. He used 
various stratagems to get him into his power, evi- 
dently with a design of taking his life ; but the latter, 
being aware of these hostile intentions, evaded his 
treachery and baffled his purposes. At length, seeing 
that no measures were to be kept with such a treach- 
erous man, Timur resolved at once to come to an open 
rupture, and declare war against him before he could 
have time to offer further provocation. 
When this determination was known to the refrac- 
tory princes of Badukhshan, they, together with all 
the warlike tribes of Transoxiana, joined the Jagatay 
standard against Hussyn. With his army thus rein- 
forced, Timur proceeded directly to Balkh, blockaded 
the city on all sides, and besieged the citadel. The 
enemy offered a vigorous defence, made a spirited sally, 
and night alone put an end to the struggle. During 
this battle, Omer Sheikh, son of Timur, then but 
sixteen years of age, in an assault upon the walls of 
the town, received an arrow in his foot, which trans- 
fixed it and entered the side of his horse. The youth- 
ful prince, notwithstanding, continued the attack, till 
Hussyn, becoming alarmed, took refuge in the citadel. 
