shtasp. The battle was fought with great valor on both sides, and
blood flowed in torrents. Gushtasp challenged Alias to single combat,
and the warriors met; but in a short time the enemy was thrown from his
horse, and dragged by the young conqueror, in fetters, before the king.
The troops witnessing the prowess of Gushtasp, quickly fled; and the
king commencing a hot pursuit, soon entered their city victoriously,
subdued the whole kingdom, and plundered it of all its property and
wealth. He also gained over the army, and with this powerful addition to
his own forces, and with the booty he had secured, returned triumphantly
to Rum.

In consequence of this brilliant success, the king conferred additional
honors on Gushtasp, who now began to display the ambition which he had
long cherished. Aspiring to the sovereignty of Iran, he spoke to the
Rumi warriors on the subject of an invasion of that country, but they
refused to enter into his schemes, conceiving that there was no chance
of success. At this Gushtasp took fire, and declared that he knew the
power and resources of his father perfectly, and that the conquest would
be attended with no difficulty. He then went to the king, and said: "Thy
chiefs are afraid to fight against Lohurasp; I will myself undertake the
task with even an inconsiderable army." The king was overjoyed, and
kissed his head and face, and loaded him with presents, and ordered his
secretary to write to Lohurasp in the following terms: "I am anxious to
meet thee in battle, but if thou art not disposed to fight, I will
permit thee to remain at peace, on condition of surrendering to me half
thy kingdom. Should this be refused, I will myself deprive thee of thy
whole sovereignty." When this letter was conveyed by the hands of Kabus
to Iran, Lohurasp, upon reading it, was moved to laughter, and
exclaimed, "What is all this? The king of Rum has happened to obtain
possession of the little kingdom of Khuz, and he has become insane with
pride!" He then asked Kabus by what means he accomplished the capture of
Khuz, and how he managed to kill Alias. The messenger replied, that his
success was owing to a youth of noble aspect and invincible courage, who
had first destroyed a ferocious wolf, then a dragon, and had afterwards
dragged Alias from his horse, with as much ease as if he had been a
chicken, and laid him prostrate at the feet of the king of Rum. Lohurasp
enquired his name, and he answered, Gushtasp. "Does