A moment decided him, he divided his force into two unequal parts; with the smaller he hoped to deceive the enemy into giving him battle, while with the other, and at the same time, he attacked the town itself. Every thing would depend on the courage and steadiness of his comparatively small band. Having detailed his plan to the officers, and when stamped by their concurrence, explained it to his men, he made them a short exhortation: with the strong motive of fighting for their houses, their liberties, rights, and dearest connexions; he mingled so warm an eulogium upon the Prince, and painted the anguish of his brave heart in such lively colours, that all the soldiers, as if animated by one soul, exclaimed, “they would efface his misfortune or die!” “On then, my gallant friends!” exclaimed the transported Sebastian, waving his bright sword and pointing to Ispahan. “On then, for God and your Prince!” May we doubt that such honourable enthusiasm prevailed? no; credulous of the stratagem employed, Ibrahim sent orders to his encamped army to give the Persians battle. It was late in the evening when the two parties encountered; the Persian general had instructions to fight Parthian-like, retreating at every stroke, thus drawing his adversary by quick degrees from Ispahan. Meanwhile Sebastian waited impatiently under cover of the mountain behind the city, for the hour of darkness: every one in the town went to repose, except only a few Turkish sentinels; everything was still; the clashing of the contending troops came no longer from the distant echoes. A shadowy moon favoured stratagem: by its uncertain light some thickets of myrtles (then covered with white blossoms) among which his men were planted, appeared like so many more divisions of phalanxed soldiers. Again he divided his force, and attacked at the same instant two quarters of the city: the walls were scaled, the gates forced, the streets crowded with exulting Persians; the noise of tumult, of hope, of fury, of victory! resounded through all the squares: Sebastian was everywhere; like some warring angel sent to succour a cause favoured by Heaven, he was seen in every quarter of Ispahan. The Turks, half asleep, and scarcely-roused from the stupefaction of opium, ran about in aimless confusion: from one of these, whom he had taken prisoner, Sebastian learned the destiny of the Prince; at that moment the Basha’s person might have been secured, but it was possible that while securing him Abbas might be sacrificed. Sebastian hesitated scarce a moment, selfish wishes were subdued, he flew to his friend, and had the delight of restoring him to liberty: they hastily embraced. “Go Prince,” exclaimed Sebastian, interrupting his thanks, “shew yourself to the people--the sight of you will repay them for all their fatigues,” so saying, they separated.