The Nāṣirī Generations 294.4

294.4

When this message reached the people of the fortress, they with one accord swore the most solemn oath, [saying] : “In the same manner that they are unknown to you, we likewise know not that band, and know not who they are.” Hulau replied : “On this account, for the sake of Tingri, I present unto you, as a propitiatory offering, a thousand horses, a thousand camels, a thousand cattle, and a thousand sheep. Send out your confidential people that they may take possession of them.” The people of the fortress replied: “We have no want of any offerings of thine, neither will we send any one out. If thou hast anything to send indeed, send it here, otherwise send the whole to hell,” so that they [the narrators] relate, that Hulau left there that number of cattle, horses, camels, and sheep, and that he raised the investment, and went towards a place, a verdant plain, which they call the Sahra-i-Mush [the Rat's Plain], where there is soft mud and stagnant water, and sank in it; while some have related that he encountered the army of Sham in battle, and was vanquished, and annihilated along with all his army, and went to hell.