his views. Tur advanced with a
hundred thousand men; but as he advanced, he found every one on the
alert, and aware of his approach. He had gone too far to retreat in the
dark without fighting, and therefore began a vigorous conflict.
Minuchihr sprung up from his ambuscade, and with his thirty thousand men
rushed upon the centre of the enemy's troops, and in the end encountered
Tur. The struggle was not long. Minuchihr dexterously using his javelin,
hurled him from his saddle precipitately to the ground, and then with
his dagger severed the head from his body. The body he left to be
devoured by the beasts of the field, and the head he sent as a trophy to
Feridun; after which, he proceeded in search of Silim.

The army of the confederates, however, having suffered such a signal
defeat, Silim thought it prudent to fall back and take refuge in a fort.
But Minuchihr went in pursuit, and besieged the castle. One day a
warrior named Kaku made a sally out of the fort, and approaching the
centre of the besieging army, threw a javelin at Minuchihr, which,
however, fell harmless before it reached its aim. Then Minuchihr seized
the enemy by the girdle, raised him up in air, and flung him from his
saddle to the ground.

He grasped the foe-man by the girth,
And thundering drove him to the earth;
By wound of spear, and gory brand,
He died upon the burning sand.

The siege was continued for some time with the view of weakening the
power of Silim; at last Minuchihr sent a message to him, saying: "Let
the battle be decided between us. Quit the fort, and boldly meet me
here, that it may be seen to whom God gives the victory." Silim could
not, without disgrace, refuse this challenge: he descended from the
fort, and met Minuchihr. A desperate conflict ensued, and he was slain
on the spot. Minuchihr's keen sword severed the royal head from the
body, and thus quickly ended the career of Silim. After that, the whole
of the enemy's troops were defeated and put to flight in every
direction.

The leading warriors of the routed army now sought protection from
Minuchihr, who immediately complied with their solicitation, and by
their influence all the forces of Silim and Tur united under him. To
each he gave rank according to his merits. After the victory, Minuchihr
hastened to pay his respects to Feridun, who received him with praises
and thanksgivings, and the customary honors. Returning from the battle,
Feridun met him on foot; and