s felt only contempt for the boyish leader and had no
fear of his great army. As they approached, Hujir rode forth to meet
them and called aloud in derision.

"Let the mighty Sohrab come forth to meet me alone. I will slay him with
ease and give his body to the vultures for food."

Undismayed by these threats Sohrab met the doughty Persian and unhorsed
him in the first encounter. Springing from his horse Sohrab raised his
sword to strike, but the Persian begged so lustily for quarter that he
was granted his life, though sent a prisoner to the king.

Among those who watched the defeat of Hujir was Gurdafrid, the daughter
of the old governor of the White Fort. She was stronger than any warrior
in the land and fully accustomed to the use of arms. When she became
aware that Hujir was indeed vanquished she hastily clothed herself in
full armor, thrust her long hair under her helmet and rode gallantly out
to meet Sohrab. The girl shot a perfect shower of arrows at Sohrab, but
all glanced harmlessly from his armor. Seeing that she could not find a
weak spot in his mail she put her shield in rest and charged valiantly
at her foe. However, she was no match for her antagonist and was borne
from her saddle by the fierce lance of her enemy. As she fell, however,
she drew her sword and severed the spear of Sohrab. Before he could
change weapons she had mounted her horse and was galloping wildly toward
the fort with her late antagonist in full pursuit. Long ere the castle
walls were reached Sohrab overtook her and seized her by the helmet,
when its fastenings gave way and her long hair fell about her shoulders,
disclosing the fact that he had been fighting with a woman.

Struck by the beauty of the girl and ashamed that he had been fighting
with her, Sohrab released her after she had promised that she would make
no further resistance and that the castle would surrender at his
approach. The fierce Gurdafrid, however, had no idea of giving up the
fort, but as soon as she was within, the gates were closed, and she,
mounting upon the walls, jeered at the waiting Sohrab.

"It is now too late to fight, but when morning comes I will level your
fort to the earth and leave not one stone upon the other." With these
words the incensed warrior galloped back to his camp. When in the
morning he marched his army against the fort he found that his prey had
escaped, for during the night Gurdafrid had led the whole garrison out
through a secret pa