The scheme which Hajy Berlās and Bāyezyd Jelayr had laid for me was
this; that having joined their forces, and encamped in the plains of
Kesh, they should give out that they were going to invade Khujend, they
were then to inveigle me to the camp, and having murdered me, take
possession of the district of Subz. In consequence of this arrangement,
they sent me a letter, stating, “that as they had resolved to subdue the
country of Khujend, if I would join in this enterprize, it would be very
advantageous to all.”
As I was not aware of their treacherous intentions, and considered them
Muselmāns, I placed confidence in them, and set out to join them. When I
reached the plains of Kesh, I saw a great number of handsome tents
pitched, and a regular encampment formed.
When I approached the camp, Bāyezyd came out to meet me, and to do me
honour, he took my hand and first led me into the public tent. (Bargāh);
he then said, “as we must have some confidential conversation, and the
time is short, we had better go to the private tent,” (Khergāh) and he
led the way.
When we entered the Khergāh, I saw that the carpet was raised up in a
particular part: and when I advanced, it appeared to me, that there was
a well there which they had covered over with felt. Suspicion seized my
mind. I delayed to sit down, and was convinced that treachery was
intended. At this time Bāyezyd sat down on my right hand, and Berlās on
my left hand. I then pretended that I was seized with a bleeding of the
nose; I drew out my handkerchief, and applied it to my nose, and
immediately walked from the private, into the public tent. I proceeded
through it till I was joined by all my Officers, as they were well
armed; they sounded the trumpets, and we returned to our own camp.
Bāyezyd was afterwards ashamed of his conduct, and laid all the blame on
Berlās.
At this time Myr Syed Aly of Termuz,[54] who was one of the most learned
and devout personages of the age, cursed them both for me, saying, “O
Lord, cast down the evil doers to the lowest pit of hell;” his prayer
was heard, and God afterwards caused these two scoundrels to quarrel
with each Other, by which means I was delivered from their malice and
treachery.
Immediately after this act of baseness, the camp broke up, the allies
marched towards Khujend, and I set out for Termuz. When I arrived at
this city, Shykh Aly Jerhyry suspecting that I intended to seize that
country, and subdue the Nomade hordes, drew out his forces against me.
As Shykh Aly was one of the learned persons, and had formerly been one
of my companions, I did not wish to quarrel with him; therefore, when he
had assembled all his tribe and connections, and had taken post in Old
Termuz, I sent an agent to remind him that he was under great
obligations to me, and that, if he opposed me, the debt of ingratitude
would certainly overwhelm him: that we had long been companions: that it
was I who raised him to the command of his horde: that he had behaved
ungratefully, deserted me, and joined Bāyezyd Jelayr. But my words
having no effect on him, and he proving unworthy of his _Salt_, I cursed
him, and prepared for battle. Shykh Aly finding that his followers were
more numerous than my soldiers, was puffed up with vanity, and advanced
with boldness into the field. I formed my troops into three divisions,
and made a rapid charge on the enemy; my first division fell among them
like a stone among a flock of birds, and they all dispersed. After the
flight of the chief, I easily took possession of the horde: whilst the
fugitive Aly went and took refuge with Bāyezyd Jelayr; in the end, God
caused him to be a wanderer over the earth, till he came and begged my
forgiveness. I pardoned him on account of his name (Aly), as it is a
saying of the wise, “that when an enemy comes before you as a suppliant,
and bends his knees, one should return thanks to God for having reduced
him to his dilemma.”
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Footnote 54:
Termuz was at this time a celebrated University.