with the imprecations of their master,
who, cursing the Jewish dogs, and vowing a pilgrimage to Mecca, placed
himself at the head of a motley multitude of warriors, and rushed upon
the plains of Irak, to exterminate Alroy.

The Persian force exceeded the Hebrew at least five times in number.
Besides a large division of Seljuks, the Caucasus had poured forth its
strange inhabitants to swell the ranks of the Faithful. The wild tribes
of the Bactiari were even enlisted, with their fatal bows, and the
savage Turkmans, tempted by the sultan's gold, for a moment yielded
their liberty, and shook their tall lances in his ranks.

But what is a wild Bactiari, and what is a savage Turkman, and what
even a disciplined and imperious Seljuk, to the warriors of the God of
Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob? At the first onset, Alroy succeeded in
dividing the extended centre of Togrul, and separating the greater part
of the Turks from their less disciplined comrades. At the head of his
Median cavalry, the Messiah charged and utterly routed the warriors of
the Caucasus. The wild tribes of the Bactiari discharged their arrows
and fled, and the savage Turkmans plundered the baggage of their own
commander.

The Turks themselves fought desperately; but, deserted by their allies,
and surrounded by an inspired foe, their efforts were unavailing, and
their slaughter terrible. Togrul was slain while heading a desperate and
fruitless charge, and, after his fall, the battle resembled a massacre
rather than a combat. The plain was glotted with Seljuk gore. No quarter
was given or asked. Twenty thousand chosen troops fell on the side
of the Turks; the rest dispersed and gained the mountains. Leaving
Scherirah to restore order, Alroy the next morning pushed on to Nishapur
at the head of three thousand horsemen, and summoned the city ere the
inhabitants were apprised of the defeat and death of their sultan. The
capital of Persia escaped the fate of Rhey by an inglorious treaty and
a lavish tribute. The treasures of the Chosroes and the Gasnevides
were despatched to Hamadan, on which city day dawned, only to bring
intelligence of a victory or a conquest.

While Alroy dictated peace on his own terms in the palaces of Nishapur,
Abner, having reduced Louristan, crossed the mountains, and entered
Persia with the reinforcements he had received from Jabaster. Leaving
the government and garrisoning of his new conquests to this valiant
captain, Alroy, at the