Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/108

 76 THE HOLY WARS OF ISLAM landing, but the eight men plied their arrows so vig- orously that the detachment was not able to effect its purpose. When the Sultan witnessed the full success of these men, he ordered all his soldiers who could swim to pass over at once, and promised them a life of repose after that day of trouble. His own personal guards first crossed this difficult stream, and they were fol- lowed by the whole army. Some swam over on skins, and others were nearly drowned, but eventually all landed safely. When they all had reached the opposite bank, the Sultan ordered his men to mount their horses and charge in such a manner as to put the enemy to flight. Some of the infidels asked for mercy after being wounded, some were taken prisoners, some were killed, and the rest took to flight, while 270 gigantic elephants fell into the hands of the Mussulmans.'