Page:Siyar-ul-Mutakherin.djvu/80

Bijapoor in the Deckan. Seid Abd-ul-ghaffer, who had as high an opinion of himself as he had a contemptible one of those three young men, turned their rear, and pushing on the citadel of Ilahabad, besieged it in form, after having sent word to the governor that he had left his nephews in the rear, because he had no inclination to play with children. This sarcasm, which was faithfully reported to those young men, quickened their zeal, and they fell upon his reserve; but their troops, which, besides being all new levies, were greatly inferior in number to the enemy, fell into confusion, and lost ground every moment. This was no sooner perceived by the three young men than they resolved not to survive a defeat. They joined a body of Seids of Barhar, who were personally attached to them, and performed exploits worthy of being recorded in history. Fortune seemed now to favour the young heroes: one of those violent winds common at that season of the year arose, and blew such clouds of dust and sand into the face of the enemy as nearly blinded them. Unable to resist its violence, and still less to distinguish friends from enemies, the imperialists fell into confusion, and became incapable of listening to orders, or of keeping their ranks. This being perceived by the young warriors, they redoubled their efforts, slew Abd-ul-ghaffer's brother, and pushed on with fury. As