Astonished, Ushkabús cried, "Who art thou? What kindred hast thou to lament thy fall?" Rustem replied:--"Why madly seek to know That which can never yield thee benefit? My name is death to thee, thy hour is come!" "Indeed! and thou on foot, mid mounted warriors, To talk so bravely!"--"Yes," the champion said; "And hast thou never heard of men on foot, Who conquered horsemen? I am sent by Tús, To take for him the horse of Ushkabús." "What! and unarmed?" inquired the Tartar chief; "No!" cried the champion, "Mark, my bow and arrow! Mark, too, with what effect they may be used!" So saying, Rustem drew the string, and straight The arrow flew, and faithful to its aim, Struck dead the foeman's horse. This done, he laughed, But Ushkabús was wroth, and showered upon His bold antagonist his quivered store-- Then Rustem raised his bow, with eager eye Choosing a dart, and placed it on the string, A thong of elk-skin; to his ear he drew The feathered notch, and when the point had touched The other hand, the bended horn recoiled, And twang the arrow sped, piercing the breast Of Ushkabús, who fell a lifeless corse, As if he never had been born! Erect, And firm, the champion stood upon the plain, Towering like mount Alberz, immovable, The gaze and wonder of the adverse host! When Rustem, still unknown to the Túránian forces, returned to his own army, the Tartars carried away the body of Ushkabús, and took it to the Khakán of Chin, who ordered the arrow to be drawn out before him; and when he and Kámús saw how deeply it had penetrated, and that the feathered end was wet with blood, they were amazed at the immense power which had driven it from the bow; they had never witnessed or heard of anything so astonishing. The fight was, in consequence, suspended till the following day. The Khakán of Chin then inquired who was disposed or ready to be revenged on the enemy for the death of Ushkabús, when Kámús advanced, and, soliciting permission, urged forward his horse to the middle of the plain. He then called aloud for Rustem, but a Kábul hero, named Alwund, a pupil of Rustem's, asked his master's permission to oppose the challenger, which being granted, he rushed headlong to the combat. Luckless however were his efforts, for he was soon overthrown and slain, and then Rustem appeared in arms before the conqueror, who hearing his voice, cried: "Why this arrogance and clamor! I am not like Ushkabús, a trembler in thy presence." Rustem replied: "When the lion sees his prey, Sees the elk-deer cross his way, Roars he not? The very ground Trembles at the dreadful sound. And art thou from terror free, When opposed in fight to me?"