18 HISTORY.

eye-witnesses of all these deeds of horror, but even themselves sufFerere by his cruelty.

I may, perhaps, be permitted to illustrate a few traits in the character of this ruthless tyrant by narrating some of his feats ; it will then become evident, that this flourishing country could but sink in a very short time, as the natural consequence of his oppressive tyranny ; and that a considerable period must elapse before it will be able to recover itself but slightly.

A soldier who had stolen a sheep from a peasant was caught in the very act. He not only refused to return the stolen goods, but even maltreated the peasant. Confiding in the equity of his cause, the latter thought he should more probably have justice done him by the governor than by any one else, and entered a complaint against the soldier. The Defturdar listened very patiently to the story ; but, when the peasant had finished, the tyrant accosted him in an angry voice, .with the words : " And with these trifles you trouble me ?" Then turning to his attendants he ordered the peasant to be brought before the kadi ; they understood immediately that he meant by the kadi, a cannon, carried the poor wretch immediately off, and bound him to the mouth of a gun which was instantly fired.

His very servants, consisting not only of slaves, but of free Arabs and Turks, although they might be regarded as his executioners, stood in great awe of him, for he punished the slightest offence of which they might be guilty with every imaginable