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 Def-

turdar 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 atten-

dants 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