armie, made way through the middest of his enemies, and having lost divers of his ensignes, fled back againe to Caire, through the same sandie deserts whereby he came. In this battell was lost the Governor of Alexandria and Orchamus, Governor of Caire (both men of great account among the Mamalukes), and beside them a great number of Arabians, with a thousand or more of the Mamaluke horseman. Neither got Sinan a joyfull or unbloudie victorie, having lost above two thousand of his best horsemen, and amongst them certaine commaunders, men of great marke.” [513] Petra? [514] Tomant Bey. [515] At Maharra, six miles from Cairo. [516] Allem, called Heylims the Devetdar, by Knolles. [517] By a Mamaluke captain named Bidon, frequently mentioned by Knolles. [518] The well of Zemzem. [519] Knolles says, Tomant Bey, after showing great personal courage, was forced to order a retreat, which soon became a flight. The battle was fought on the 24th January, 1517. [520] The Mamelukes were repulsed, and were then attacked in Cairo by Selim. [521] Delta? [522] Called Albuchomar by Knolles. [523] Mustafà, Algazeli, and Caierbec were sent in pursuit. [524] He was first tortured to make him reveal where he was supposed to have hidden the great treasures of Campson Gauri. [525] Cazi Asker. [526] Shah Tamasp. [527] Elias Mirza, King of Shirvan. _Vide_ Alessandri. [528] Bahram Mirza. [529] Shah Tamasp. THE TRAVELS OF A MERCHANT IN PERSIA. THE TRAVELS OF A MERCHANT IN PERSIA. CHAP. I. The apology the Author makes for this his Narrative. It is well-known that naturally all men, and especially students, love knowledge, and, therefore, always go out of their way to investigate new things. On this account I have thought that by writing an account of my travels in Persia and narrating all that I have, with my slight genius, been able to learn in the east, in the space of eight years and eight months of my stay there, that these my writings might be interesting to my readers, both by the novelty of the subject and by the information respecting so many great cities, peoples, and foreign customs. And if in any passage I become confused and lengthy, I ask my kind readers’ pardon, as it will not proceed from anything but my being unaccustomed to composition; but they may be assured for the rest that I will tell nothing but the truth of what I have seen and heard, not exaggerating anything, but simply narrating as becomes an honest merchant who does not know how to adorn his tale by his words.