trenches, but never saw a single man leave them to go to plunder the villages, the camp being abundantly supplied with provisions by the peasants in the surrounding villages. I saw none of the villages on fire; but every evening the fátihat (the first chapter of the Korán) was read in every tent, and the prayers were offered up at the five appointed hours. Former commanders never maintained any discipline in their camp; the neighbouring villages were destroyed by fire; and when after three months they effected an entrance into the trenches, they fired a few guns and returned to riot in their tents, from which were heard, night and day, the sound of musical instruments, and the shouts of Armenian women and boys. Observing this state of affairs, I made numerous nocturnal excursions, from which I generally returned with plenty of plunder, and a great number of Janissaries heads with which I adorned the towers of the castle. As winter came on they deserted their commander, and returned to their homes. When, however, I saw the just and upright character of Khosrau Páshá, I said, “Here is a commander who justly deserves the name!” and I hastened to his camp to offer my obeisance. Praise be to God, I was not mistaken in my good opinion of him, for after so long a stay in the midst of an army numerous as the waves of the sea, I have been conducted in safety to the presence of my emperor, whose commands I now wait. “Behold what my zeal for your glory has urged me to do! The sword hangs over my neck: I have come from Erzerúm as your devoted victim!” Saying this, he knelt down with his face directed towards the kibla, and began to recite the confession of faith. When the whole court, the vezírs, the ulemá, the muftí Yahia, and the grand vezír Khosrau Páshá, perceived that the emperor was pleased with Abáza’s humble submission, and that his anger had subsided, they threw themselves at the foot of the throne, beseeching pardon for Abáza. This intercession had the desired effect: the emperor not only pardoned Abáza, but appointed him governor of Bosnia. The vezírs, emírs, and senior officers of the army that had undertaken the expedition against Abáza, were rewarded with robes of honour. Abáza was soon after removed from the government of Bosnia, to that of Silistria. After an unsuccessful expedition against Kamienik he was recalled to Islámból, where he soon became the most confidential adviser of the Sultán. One day when the Janissaries were dissatisfied with the Sultán and would not eat their soup, Abáza said, “Give me leave, my emperor, and I will make them eat not only their soup, but even the dishes.” Sultán Murád having given him permission, he appeared in the diván; on which a murmur was heard from the ranks of the Janissaries, who began to eat their soup with such avidity as if they would have swallowed the very dishes: so great was the awe which his appearance and name excited amongst the Janissaries. When an expedition against Erzerúm was