Dawn Breakers

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Table of Contents 12 Section 6
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      brain-wash against the Cause of the Båb. So, on the third day, the Governor requested Vahíd to address in his own handwriting a message to his companions in the fort that they had reached an amicable settlement, and that the companions should disarm, leave the Fort and go home. No harm would befall them. 

      Vahíd knew this was not true but was eventually pressured to submit and write the letter. The letter bearer to the Fort was one of the companions, a Hájí Siyyid ‘Ábid
      . In secret, Vahíd wrote a second letter, in which he informed the companions in the fort of the evil designs of the enemy and warned them not to be deceived. He gave the second letter also to Hájí Siyyid ‘Ábid, with instructions that he should destroy the first letter and only give the second secret letter to the companions in the Fort.

      Treachery

      Hájí Siyyid ‘Ábid turned out to be a lost soul, who falls off the Bridge of Sirát. The Governor induced him with promises of reward and wealth to share Vahíd’s plans with him. Hájí Siyyid ‘Ábid took both letters to the Governor and they destroyed Vahíd’s secret second letter, and only the first letter was the one that was delivered to the fort. The treacherous Hájí Siyyid ‘Ábid assured the companions in the fort that Vahíd succeeded in winning over the officers of the entire army and that in view of this conversion, it was now safe for them to leave the fort and return home.

      The Companions leave the Fort and are massacred

      Although the companions in the fort were bewildered by the message they got, they did not wish to disobey the wishes of Vahíd. They reluctantly left the fort. As they dispersed, many discarded their arms. They started walking towards the town of Nayríz, but as soon as they reached the town, they were intercepted and encompassed by a massive force of armed men sent by the Governor. The Båbís stood little chance of self-defence, many fighting only with sticks and stones because they had already disarmed themselves. 

      And so began the massacre of the BĂĄbĂ­s of NayrĂ­z.

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