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 CHAPTER VI

Flight

1502-1503

The motive of Tambal's brother in inviting Bábar to join him was obvious enough. Bábar was the only capable commander on the side of the two Kháns; if he could be detached, the Mongol invasion of Farghána would probably fall to pieces; and once in Tambal's power, the young king would doubtless be cured for ever of all ambition. Yet something might be made of the proposal. His two uncles suggested that he should take advantage of his new ally's cordiality, and entrap him; but treachery was the thing of all others he despised: 'Such trickery and underhandedness were altogether against my grain and nature; besides, there must be a treaty, and I could never bring myself to break my word.' Nevertheless, he would try to win over Báyazíd to his side, and thus make a split in Tambal’s party.

All went well at ﬁrst. He arrived at Akhsi, and took up his quarters in the stone fort where his father's old palace stood. Báyazíd seemed really loyal, though he kept the command of the castle. Presently news came that Shaibáni was on the march,