Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/66

as we were drinking Wine, in a place which they esteem Sacred, and by consequence was among them accounted an act of Sacriledge. Christian Dogs, cry'd they, when they came near us, to eat and drink in a Mosquee, and profane a holy place as you do, at a time that renders the offence more criminal! No, cry'd I, answering for the rest, we drink no Wine, we drink nothing but Water, and you may tast it, said I to him that was the most busie; with that I caus'd a Glass to be pour'd out and giv'n him; and I gave one of the Turks a private wink, who understanding it was a promise of gratuity, turn'd about to his Comrades, and cry'd, 'Tis very true, they drink no Wine. However in regard they had Orders to bring us before the Cady, there was no contending. Thereupon I and three others undertook to and answer for all the rest. The Cady revil'd us as bad as the Janizary at first; but he was not only surpriz'd, but very much troubl'd, when they all unanimously affirm'd that we drank no Wine, believing they were confederates with us. But I had cunningly slipt eight Ducats into the Hand of the Turk to whom I had made a sign with my Eye, who over-joy'd at so plentiful a gratuity, had over-perswaded his Comrades not to say any thing against us. The Cady though he did not like their Testimony, yet call'd for Coffee for us, according to the custom of the Country, and sent us to his Lieutenant; who having been often greas'd in the Fist by the Smyrna-Merchants, receiv'd us very kindly, and told us that the Cady was but newly come to his Place, and was needy; however a small matter would content him. Thereupon we gave the Lieutenant twenty-five Ducats, who most certainly went snips with the Cady, and so return'd us to our Company, who were much afraid we would not have come off so.

We were resolv'd to return to Smyrna not the same way we came, and so we took another Road, which was a very pleasant way, partly over firm Sands, and partly thorough Meadows, where we met with several narrow Dikes very well Pav'd. Then we cross a rugged high Mountain, and lay in a Mahumetan Barn.

The next day we return'd to Smyrna, having finish'd our small Journey to Ephesus in five days. When we told the Consuls how the Janizary had betray'd us, they made their Complaint to the Janizary Aga and the Cady, who, for his punishment put him out of the Consul's service, which is an advantageous Employment. For besides that the Consul's Janizaries are exempt from the Duties of War, they are well plac'd; for there is never a Merchant that is not beneficial to them some way or other; especially at good times, as New-years-day and other Festivals. Nor could the Janizary have been more severely punish'd; for the Turks love Money above all things in the World.

But to return to our matter. The Rendezvouz of all the Caravans is generally two Leagues from the City, near a Town call'd Pongarbachi. The day of their setting out being fix'd, every one provides himself for his Journey, and meets the Evening before at the place appointed, to be ready at the hour.

From Smyrna to Tocat, is thirty-five days journey with the Caravan, and the last time I went we made it thirty-eight from Pongarbachi.

The first day we travel'd eight hours through a Country whose prospect was not unpleasing, leaving some Villages more than a League from the Road; and we lodg'd in a Park, near the River Pactolus; which is a small River, the Sand whereof shines, and is of several colours. Which caus'd Antiquity to call Pactolus Golden-Sanded. It falls from the Mountain Tmolus, and after it has water'd the Territory of Sardis, mixes with the River Hermus, that throws it self into the Archipelago through the Gulf of Smyrna. The Mouth of it is not above two or three Leagues from the City, toward the North.

The next day in six hours we came to Durgout, a little City in a Plain. All Christians that live not in the Territories of the Grand Signor, and pass that way, once a Year pay Carrage, or a Tribute of four or five Crowns: but the Franks are exempt, both at Durgout and over all Turkie. There resides a Basha in this City; and we were constrain'd to stop there a whole day, because the Caravan that comes from Persia arriv'd at that time, so that they were forc'd to change their Camels.

The third day, after five hours travel in extremity of Heat, we came to lodge near a paltry Village.

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