BABER. 
149 
pion with the sagacity and prudent foresight of the 
general. He shrank from no danger, and distinguish- 
ed himself by several remarkable personal contests. 
On one occasion, in a severe conflict with the 
enemy, he advanced before their line and challenged 
the adverse chief. His challenge being declined, five 
champions successively answered his call, and were 
slain by the royal hero. This combination of bra- 
very, strength, and military skill, produced such dis- 
may among his enemies, who admired as well as 
dreaded him, that they gradually dropped off, and in 
proportion as their numbers diminished his victories 
multiplied. One defeat succeeded another ; the im- 
perial army increased daily with its success ; and 
Baber was finally seated more firmly than ever upon 
the thrones of Cabul and Ghizny. 
In the year 1510, Shah Ismael, king of Persia, ad- 
dressed a letter to Sheebany Khan, complaining, but 
with great temperance, of certain devastations which 
the Uzbeck chief had committed upon his territories. 
The haughty Tartar, elated by a long career of con- 
quest, returned an insolent reply. This was imme- 
diately followed by an invasion of Khorassan. Shah 
Ismael did not give his enemy time to prepare for de- 
fence, but, entering his dominions, forced his generals 
to seek refuge in their capital. Sheebany Khan, 
who had just returned from a foreign expedition, 
hearing that the Persian king had entered his territo- 
ries, retired to Merv, a position where he could easily 
receive reinforcements from his northern dominions, or 
from which he could easily retire across the Oxus. 
Hither he was followed by the enemy, who obliged 
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