BABEK. 
157 
armour, accompanied by a number of foot-soldiers, 
attacked and drove back the skirmishers. Dost Beg, 
who commanded the reserve, coming up, and falling 
on the enemy with great impetuosity, brought down 
a number of them and routed the rest. Hati Gaker, 
who distinguished himself by his courage and firm- 
ness in the action, in spite of all his exertions could 
not maintain his ground, and fled. He was unable to 
defend the narrows, and, on reaching the fort, found 
that it was equally out of his power to maintain him- 
self there. The detachment which followed close on 
his heels having entered the fort along with him, 
Hati was compelled to make his escape, nearly alone, 
by the north-west entrance. Dost Beg, on this occa- 
sion, again greatly distinguished himself. I ordered an 
honorary gift to be presented to him. At the same time 
I entered Perhaleh, and took up my abode in Tatar’s 
palace. During these operations, some men who had 
been commanded to remain with me joined the skir- 
mishing party : in order to punish them for this offence, 
I turned them out disgracefully into the deserts and 
wilds to find their way back to the camp.”* 
The king having now settled his conquests, and 
placed the government of the different districts in the 
hands of two confidential nobles, returned to Cabul. 
During the march he lost one of his favourite omrahs. 
Dost Beg, who died of fever. Upon one occasion, 
this noble had saved the life of his royal master. 
When the latter, surrounded by foes, had received 
a severe sabre stroke on the head, which, though 
* Memoirs, pp. 261, 262. 
P 
