Disappointment of their Hopes, they are so cast down, that ’tis hard to raise them to any tolerable frame of Spirit. Whilst Matters stood thus at a Hand, in comes _Ebrahim_, my Interpreter, very opportunely; and falling into Discourse about these _Spanish Prisoners_, he told me plainly, that if I did but demand their Liberty, I should certainly obtain it; and what he spake was upon good Grounds. He had formerly given me some blind Hopes, that I might procure their Release if I set my self about it: But, I gave little heed to this Suggestion; for not being certain of a Peace, how could I attempt such a Thing? Besides, I was afraid, lest my Interposition might hinder the Success of _Salviatus_’s Negotiation: But he was gone, and _Ebrahim_, whom I had so much obliged, persisted in the same Opinion. I began to hearken to him; but told him, he should have a Care he did not engage me, who was his Friend, in a ridiculous Business; for, without doubt, I should be laugh’d at, if I did not succeed in it, the Matter being thought difficult to be compared in common Opinion, and _Salviatus_ having attempted it in vain; yet he advised me to proceed therein, and amused me with the Assurance of good Success. Upon this Encouragement, I wrote to _de Sande_, how fruitless _Salviatus_’s Embassy had been, yet I advised him not to despair; for, if any Credit were at all to be given to a _Turk_, there was good hope of his Affairs; and then I related what _Ebrahim_ had told me. Having laid this Foundation, I advised with some Friends who were well skill’d in _Turkish Affairs_. They wish’d me all good Success, but were very doubtful of it; especially since the King of _France_’s Ambassador had been denied, and the Issue of a Peace was yet undetermined; and moreover, as the _Turks_ are hardly ever induced to release great Men; yet I wrote to my Master the Emperor, to let him know what Hopes I had, and desired that I might, in his Name, beg the Release of those Prisoners. In short, upon great Gifts, and fair Promises made to the _Bashaws_, for their Favour in this Case; the Day before St. _Laurence_’s Day, all the Prisoners were released and sent to my Lodgings. _De Sande_ and _Leyva_ were so odious to each other, that they would not eat together, but I was forced to spread their Tables a-part; _Requesne_ eat with _Leyva_, and _de Sande_ with me. While we were at Supper, the _French Ambassador_’s Steward came to me, with a small Pacquet of Letters. _De Sande_ ask’d, if he knew him? Yes Sir, said he, I think you are _Don Alvarez_. I am so, said he, pray remember me to your Master, and tell him, that I have obtained my Liberty by means of the Emperor’s Ambassador, and that you have seen me Abroad with your own Eyes. I see you, indeed, Sir, said he; but so, that I can scarce believe my own Eyes. _De Sande_ did thus accost him, because his Master, the _French Agent_, would never believe that _Solyman_ would release those great Men at the