[113] Narshakhi records that the lieutenant, who was named Varkā, was answerable for this catastrophe. A citizen of Baykand, it seems, had two beautiful daughters. These the lieutenant abducted, whereupon the father remonstrated with him, saying: “Baykand is a large town, why, when you have the whole population to select from, should you carry off my daughters?” As Varkā gave no answer, the enraged father drew out his knife and stabbed him, but not mortally. [114] Narshakhi tells that in Baykand, Kutayba found a heathen temple in which was a silver idol weighing 4000 direms; also a quantity of golden vessels which, when weighed together, amounted to 150,000 _mithkals_. But the most remarkable of his discoveries were two pearls, each the size of a pigeon’s egg. Kutayba on beholding them asked the people whence such large pearls had been brought. They replied, “that they had been brought to the temple by birds in their beaks.” When Kutayba sent intelligence of his conquest of Baykand to Hajjāj, he also despatched these two pearls, with the account of the tradition relating to them. The reply of Hajjāj ran thus: “We have read your story, and it has filled us with wonder; but more wonderful than the two large pearls, and the birds that brought them, is your generosity in having sent to me these precious prizes you had taken. May the blessing of God be upon you.” [115] Ed. Schefer, p. 43. Khartūm may possibly come to offer a parallel. [116] Vambéry, _Bokhara_, p. 25. [117] Tabari, _Annales_, Series II. p. 1195. [118] Scholars have hitherto failed to read this satisfactorily. The forms that occur are Kur-Bughanūn, Kurighanūn, etc. Professor Houtsma has suggested that the termination should be read _nūīn_, _i.e._ prince. [119] Narshakhi. [120] Not, of course, to be confounded with Fārāb opposite Chārjūy; but the reading of the name is doubtful. [121] The italics indicate three excellent puns in the original Arabic. Hajjāj had a universal reputation as a master of this difficult tongue. The words may be transcribed as follows: _Kiss bi Kissa wansif Nasafan waridd Wardan_. [122] Narshakhi’s version of the campaign is full of discrepancies, and the events of the years 88–91 are perforce presented to the reader without much regard for chronology or natural sequence. The results are to be found in Bellew’s epitome (_Yarkand Expedition_, p. 117). [123] _Annales_, Series II. p. 1201. [124] Vambéry says, evidently following his Turkish Tabari: “Their women ... _tore their faces_!” [125] One of the most famous tribes of Yemen. [126] Vambéry says a yearly tribute of 2,000,000 direms! [127] Narshakhi, ed. Paris, p. 40. [128] Vambéry follows Narshakhi in ignoring this revolt, which was certainly a very serious one as far as Kutayba was concerned, but both versions of Tabari give detailed accounts of its various phases. [129] Old Persian word signifying commander-in-chief.