Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/356

 HISTORT OF ARMENIA. 31^^^

with them by night to the attack. Having posted the peasants opposite the spot where the Persians lay, and given them weapons and shields to render the deception more perfect, he with his own m-en drew off. While the enemy were deliberating about attacking the peasants^ whom they imagined to be the Vahanians^ the latter, who had by a circuitous route come upon their rear, commenced a furious attack. All was instantly in the greatest confusion: the Persians, uncertain as to the characters and force of the assailants, dealt about their blows indiscriminately, by which many of their own men perished. They at length took to flight, leaving 600 men slain upon the field, 3,000 others hurrying off in the greatest terror and disorder. Vahan, in the dawn of the morning, marched to the village of Shithay and there halted. Shapuh, having rallied his troops, and procured a large reinforce- ment, again returnW with doable rage at his late defeat, determined either to conquer or perish.

When Vahan heard of the approach of the Persians, he arranged his littte armv, consisting of only a hundred men, and prepared for thefight. The enemy at length came in sight, and so vast appeared his force, that a panic seized the Ar- manians and they fled, leaving Vahan, the three Camsaracans, Nerseh, Hirahat and Vahan,

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