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each had received their portion, which was the last of the rice supply, Quddús summoned all the companions in the fort and said:
Whoever feels himself strong enough to withstand the calamities that are soon to befall us, let him remain with us in this fort. And whoever perceives in himself the least hesitation and fear, let him betake himself away from this place. Let him leave immediately ere the enemy has again assembled his forces and assailed us. The way will soon be barred before our face; we shall very soon encounter the severest hardship and fall a victim to devastating afflictions. 49_ACT9
It was now a little over ten days before Naw-Rúz50_ACT9 of 1849.
The betrayers among the companions
The very night Quddús had given this warning, a siyyid from Qum, Mírzá Husayn-i-Mutavallí, was moved to betray his companions. He wrote a secret letter to ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán-i-Láríjání, in which he disclosed that Mullá Husayn and number of the companions were dead, that the occupants of the fort were starving, and that if ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán were to attack, he would surely win the battle. This sealed letter was entrusted to a Siyyid ‘Alíy-i-Zargar, who snuck out of the fort at midnight and went straight to ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán who was camped not far from the fort. He reached ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán at sunrise. ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán was thrilled to hear about the death of Mullá Husayn, and wanting all the glory of victory for himself, decided he was going to attack the fort without informing the Prince and other captains. To prevent this intelligence from spreading, he instantly killed Siyyid ‘Alíy-i-Zargar and made up an excuse so he was not suspected of the murder. He ordered his officers to prepare and immediately launch an attack on the fort.51_ACT9
Tenth day before Naw-Rúz 1849: ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán’s army attacks
It was the tenth day before Naw-Rúz of that year when ‘Abbás-Qulí Khán, marching at the head of two regiments of infantry and cavalry, encompassed the fort. The day had just broken as they opened fire on to the fort. At this, Quddús called Mírzá Muhammad Báqir, and said:
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