FOUNDATION OF ARMENIA. Page 7
submitted to him, and arming them as well as he was able, set out at their head to repel the invaders. His first halting place was on the shores of a lake or small sea called Van, upon which he marshalled his little army, and addressing them, declared it to be his intention on their falling in with Belus's army to attack that part of it where the latter commanded in person. "For," said he, "if we succeed in dis- comfiting that part, the victory is ours; should we, however, be unsuccessful in our attempt, let us never survive the misery and disgrace of a defeat, but rather perish sword in hand, defending the best and dearest right of reasonable creatures — our liberty!" He then resumed his march, and in the course of a short journey, came in view of the enemy's army. The spot from which Haicus discerned the troops of Belus was a small eminence in the middle of a large valley, entirely surrounded by mountains of terrific height, on the tops of which, opposite him, they appeared like a gloomy and tempestuous cloud. Belus having perceived the approach of Haicus, selected some of his best troops, and quitting the main body of his army, advanced to attack him. He was completely cased in iron armour, and surrounded on all sides by warriors habited in the same formi- dable manner as their Prince.
