272 UISTORV OF ARMENIA.
their devoted countrymen. Vardan heard that the Persians had pitched their camp in the pro- vince of Heir, from which they sallied at times, laying waste the country; he immediately sent a detachment under the command of Zaranzar, the Amatunian, to disperse the plunderers. Zaranzar drove in all the depredating foraging parties of the enemy, and having reconnoitred their camp, returned to the united army.
Vasak, however, had not been idle. He assembled his adherents, and joined the Persians, where they lay encamped, and more and more inflamed them against his devoted countrymen. By the means also of villainous priests, he very much cooled the ardour of many attached to the united party, and who, although they did not quite separate themselves from Vardan, were better inclined toward Vasak.
The two atmies at length met near the village of Avarayr. The Persians encamped on the plain, the patriotic Armenians near a river Avhich is called Mory. The day being far advanced vrhen the adverse armies came in sight of each other, the contest was deferred, apparently by mutual consent, until the following morning. Vardan passed among the ranks of his men, accompanied by the priest Levond, both exhorting them to resist manfully the power of the invaders in the approaching fight*
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