348^ HISTORY OF ARMENIA.
him his desire, on condition that the land of Taron should be retained by him. On the arrival of Mihran at the city of Mush» he was met by Vahan with the greatest seeming friend- ship, and having held a long conference with him about delivering up the person of MusheU it was agreed that Vahan shpuld be furnished with 4,000 Persian cavalry to carry their plot i^to execution. Having taken these, Vahan proceeded to the village of Kharz, where he teft fifty of his cavalry, telling them on his de* parture from thence, ** If I send a man to you with such a sign, hasten to Mihran for more troops, and then march to the city of Oz !" He then set out for Oz with the remainder of the Persian troops, and as the pass into that city was narrow and difficult, he directed them to enter after him in the manner of friends ; taking care however to keep their weapons concealec) under their garments. ** And now," said he»
- recollect, when I give such a signal, da
not spare man, woman, nor child, but put aU to the sword. Vahan then entered the city» followed by the Persians, and appointed them resting places at different houses, where he had previously stationed strong determined men, who, as the devoted Persians eatered^ strangled them in silence. While this act ol butchery was going forward^ Vahan tent
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