Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/256

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which cost me some trouble: I'll tell you of one, by which you may judge of the rest.

Two of my Servants passed over in a Boat to Pera; they went alone, either because the Janizaries were not at home, or else they thought it needless to take them; one was my Apothecary, the other Master of my Wine-Cellar. When they had done what they went for, they hired a Boat to carry them back to Constantinople; they were scarce sat down in the Boat, but there came a Youth from the Caddy, or Judge of that Place, commanding them to come forth, for the Caddy must be wafted over in that Boat: My Servants told him, there were Boats enough to carry over the Caddy, besides that which they had hired, and therefore they would not stir: Hereupon he endeavoured to force them; so that from Words they came to Blows. This being done in sight of the Caddy, who was coming down to the Boat, it made him run to help the Boy, (who was thought to be his Ganymede) but the Steps towards the Sea being slippery, by reason of Ice, (for it was Winter) he fell head-long into the Sea, and had been drown'd if his Companions had not relieved him: Hereupon a Clamour was raised all over Pera, and the Turks would have it that my Servants had laid Violent Hands on the Judge, and had almost drown'd him. My Servants were seized and carried before the Judge in Capital Cases: They fetch out Clubs, and Stocks to put their Feet in, that they might beat them, as their manner is, on the Soles of them. In the interim one of my Servants, an Italian, cried out in a Rage, Beat, strike, Dogs, strike! we are wronged, we are innocent! we are Servants to Cæsar's Ambassador, and doubtless when your own Emperor shall know how we are abused, he will make you smart for it. One of the Turks, hearing him cry out so boldly: D'ye think, said he,