Alroy himself
was slightly wounded. The battle lasted barely three hours. Its results
were immense. David Alroy was now master of the East.
The plain was covered with the corpses of men and horses, arms and
standards, and prostrate tents. Returning from the pursuit of the Sultan
of Roum, Alroy ordered the trumpets to sound to arms, and, covered
with gore and dust, dismounted from his charger, and stood before the
pavilion of Malek, leaning on his bloody scimitar, and surrounded by his
victorious generals.
'Ah, Jabaster!' said the conqueror, giving his hand to the pontiff,
''twas well your troops had such a leader. No one but you could have
rallied them.
You must drill your lads a little before they again meet the Cappadocian
cavalry. Brave Scherirah, we shall not forget our charge. Asriel, tell
the guard, from me, that the victory of the Tigris was owing to their
scimitars. Ithamar, what are our freshest troops?'
'The legion of Aderbijan, sire.'
'How strong can they muster?'
'It counts twelve thousand men: we might collect two-thirds.'
'Valiant Ithamar, take the Aderbijans and a division of the guards, push
on towards Bagdad, and summon the city. If his Sultanship of Roum offer
battle, take up a position, and he shall quickly have his desire.
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