Page:The History of Armenia - Avdall - Volume 1.djvu/455

410 with such celerity, that he found there was no hope of escape by avoiding them. He then boldly determined to oppose them, and drawing his sword, rushed in amongst them like a wild boar at hay. His valour and strength astonished the Saracens, who seeing him kill all before him, took to flight. Vasak succeeded in overtaking their general, whom he brought to the ground by a blow with his sword, and trampled to death beneath his horse’s feet. He then made off eastward, to the country of the Gardmans, whose chief, Carich, gave him apparently a. most kind reception.

The traitor, however, only made a shew of hospitality, for in a short time he seized the ill-fated Vasak by surprise, and sent him in chains to Bulah. The tyrant was overjoyed at the capture of the chief, and doubled his chains. Immediately after this, the Saracen troops having perceived the position where Vasak's brother Ashot and his mother had taken refuge, surrounded the place and took them prisoners, with several other chiefs, who were residing with them. They were then sent to Bulah, who shackled them and kept them in strict confinement. Bulah, shortly after this, marched with his troops to Arzakh in the province of Cachen in (Kharabagh), and captured Atirnerseh the chief, with his family, and many other distinguished