The dream-like amazement of Sebastian suspended utterance, he looked round on the persons who filled the cell with an air which asked explanation; Sir Anthony Shirley with less agitation but equal haste briefly replied, that the paper found on Zaphna, added to her voluntary confession, and the testimony of him who had acted as interpreter between him and the Turkish prisoner, had cleared his reputation; that the people no longer doubted his fidelity, but trusted to him for succour in this their time of extremity. Prince Abbas had been taken by a stratagem, with all his principal officers, and overcome with such news, the aged Sophi had expired of grief: the soldiers now called for their former general, and so far from thirsting for his blood, they swore not to unsheath a sword unless at his command. On the wings of the wind, with a heart triumphing in the hope of again rescuing his friend, Sebastian broke through the crowd, and joined the diminished troops; a sword caught from the hand of a guard flamed in his grasp; his eyes communicated electric fire to every desponding individual: with one voice they hailed their war-genius, and marshalling around him, called on him to lead them to victory. This spontaneous acquittal touched him sensibly: these people then, were better judges of his character than the man who believed himself his friend; but these people compared his actions without prejudice, and Abbas was blinded by jealousy. Did Sebastian meditate what is called a _noble revenge_, when he traversed with the velocity of light, the tract of country which divided him from Abbas? no; his heart was only eager to prove its own integrity and to save his friend. Animated by his example, the troops respired confidence and conquest: they ran rather than marched; and in a few hours came up with the Basha, who, evading the remnant of Abbas’s army, had made a skilful turn, and leaving a small force to amuse and keep them in check, was advancing rapidly upon Ispahan. Inequality of numbers was now an atom; where everything must be lost, where everything is not risked, there remains no alternative. Sebastian drew up his little army in an advantageous position, which from the nature of the ground, rendered the enemy’s cavalry useless, and blocked out part of his infantry; there he offered, and he gave battle. Who may doubt the success of loyalty and enthusiasm? Sebastian poured the tide of battle at will: his troops repulsed those of the Basha; attacked in their turn, broke through the thick squadrons, dispersed, drove, pursued, routed them! The Basha himself fell by the hand of a Persian soldier: at this event the Turks and Syrians laid down their arms and terminated the contest.