The Nāṣirī Generations 139.11

139.11

When a body of them [the infidels] retired for refuge to their stronghold, one of their chiefs was standing on a tower of the fort, and was acting with great insolence and audacity, and galling the Musalmans, when Mas’ud, who was fighting on horseback, hit him in the throat with an arrow, and he fell dead from the tower. The chief’s companions became heart-broken at this, and surrendered the fortress ; and all this was accomplished by one wound dealt by a brave hand. Amir Mahmud was delighted with his lion-like son, and, whilst he was yet in his youth, made him his heir, for he knew that after his own death there was no one able to maintain the dynasty but he. [See note, page 92.] * * * * In 411 H., Mas’ud [he had been declared heir-apparent, and appointed governor of Khurasan, with Hirat as the seat of