ber of men with whom Marwân had swept over his land and of their equipment and strength, his heart was filled with cowardice and fear. When Marwân came close to him, he sent him a messenger inviting him to "Islâm or war", to which he replied, "I have accepted Islâm. Send therefore someone to present it to me." Marwân did so. The chief professed Islâm and made a treaty with Marwân according to which Marwân confirmed him as ruler of his kingdom. Marwân with a host of al-Khazar accompanied the chief; and al-Khazar were made to settle in the plain of the province of al-Lakz between as-Samâr and ash-Shâbirân.
The land of as-Sarîr. After that, Marwân made his entrance to the land of as-Sarîr, slaughtered its inhabitants, and reduced certain forts in it. Its king offered him submission and allegiance and made terms, agreeing to give every year 1,000 youths—500 lads and 500 maids—with black hair and eyebrows and with long eyelashes, together with 100,000 modii[1] to be poured in the granaries of al-Bâb. Marwân took from him a pledge.
The people of Tûmân made terms with Marwân, agreeing to give every year 100 youths—50 maids and 50 lads—each 5 spans in height, with black hair and eyebrows and with long eyelashes, together with 20,000 modii for the granaries.
The land of Zirîkirân. He then entered the land of Zirîkirân,[2] whose king made terms, agreeing to offer fifty youths, and 10,000 modii for the granaries every year. Thence he proceeded to the land of Ḥamzîn which refused to make terms and whose fort, after an investment of one month, he reduced. He then set fire to the fort and de-
