Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. IIEvliya Çelebi
History
Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. II
Evliya Çelebi
Caucasus, South -- Description and travel; Istanbul (Turkey) -- Description and travel; Turkey -- History
Gold, silver, brass vessels, fine boys, and
pretty girls, were carried in immense numbers to the Ottoman camp,
where there was such an abundance that a boy or girl was sold for
eighteen piastres. Some thousand men of the army, seeing such plenty,
settled in the island. Kuchúk Hassan Pashá with seventeen Begler-Begs,
seventy Alaï-Begs, and all the Zaims and Timariots, remained at Canea,
besides the garrison of regular troops, consisting of twenty-seven
regiments of janissaries, ten regiments of artillery, ten regiments of
armourers, four regiments of cavalry, and three thousand men, Egyptian
troops; altogether seventy-seventy thousand men. In the castle remained
seven thousand seven hundred Azabs, and forty ships were left for the
transport of troops from Menkeshe, besides fifty firkata manned with an
hundred stout lads.
The Commander-in-Chief, Yússúf, took leave of all the Vezírs and
great men, and weighed anchor with a favourable wind, and sailed for
Constantinople. He passed with a fleet of two hundred sail before
Cerigo and Cerigotto, destroyed the repairs of the Mainotes at the
Cape of Maina in Morea, with the Castle of Killí situated on the same
point; passed the Cape of Capospada, and the Castle of Menkeshí, and
came to anchor at Napoli. After a stay of three days a council was
held, and it was resolved to lay waste the Island of Istendil (Tine),
belonging to the Venetians. At the moment the fleet was sailing, an
Imperial rescript arrived from Constantinople congratulating the
Commander-in-Chief on his victories, and rewarding him with an Imperial
robe of honour, and a sword and cutlass set with jewels. The same day
the Island of Tine was plundered, but no great booty found. Its castle
being strong and high, the signal of departure was immediately given,
and the southerly wind being favourable, in the course of ten days
we touched at different places, such as Chios, Lemnos, Mitylene, and
Tenedos; these castles were put in repair, and garrisoned with the
necessary number of troops. From Tenedos we arrived at Gallipolis,
where we took water, and where the Commanders received strict orders
to be watchful. From hence, in two days and one night, we reached the
Prince’s Islands, in sight of Constantinople, and next day arrived
at the Seraglio point, with such demonstrations of joy as cannot be
expressed. The conqueror of Canea, Yússúf Páshá, kissed the ground
before the Emperor, was decorated with Imperial robes of honour, and
offered a treasure worth that of Egypt, and youths like those of
Paradise, besides an infinite number of presents. But he was afterwards
calumniated and killed. When Sultán Ibrahím saw his body, he said, “how
white he was!” and fell a-crying. He added, “My Yússúf, may those, who
have played thee this trick soon share thy fate!” and, while saying
so, he looked at his favourite Jinjí Khojá. His death caused general
complaint and lamentations, and there was but one voice of sorrow.
God’s mercy be upon him!
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