ABSTRACT
When the Sultan saw his following scattered and himself alone, he turned rein, mounted an elephant and set out in flight in the direction of Faryab and Panjdih because no horse could carry him along with his weapons, save with difficulty. The treasures, stores and furnishing remained where they were. Several Turkomans pursued Masciid. When they drew near, he mounted a horse from the elephant and attacked. He hit the head of a rider with a mace, shattered him along with his horse, and knocked him to the ground. Each troop of horsemen which arrived there after that did not pass. They were frightened and astonished by that Rustam-like blow. 19 At that moment someone said to Masciid, "0 Lord, he who gives such blows and such heart, how can he fly and leave his inherited realm?" He said, "0 youth, even though my blows are thus, good fortune no longer remains and heavenly assistance is not in accord with human plans."
