THE PIRATES OF SEGXA. 341 



to be left to their own resources when assailed by 

 the overwhelming power of the Porte. As a sort of 

 atonement, he took them formally into his pay, to 

 assist him in his wars against the infidel. But from 

 this day forward the Uzcoques gradually declined in 

 valour and in moral worth. From a race of heroes 

 they degenerated into a horde of mercenary adven- 

 turers, and finally, of cruel and cowardly pirates. 

 Their primitive customs and simple virtues were ex- 

 changed for the vices of refugees and criminals from 

 Venice and other neighbouring States, who came in 

 crowds to fill up the frequent vacancies occurring in 

 their ranks. 



At length the military value of the Uzcoques being 

 much impaired, and their services also less required, 

 Austria became irregular in her payments, and at last 

 entirely discontinued them. The barren mountains 

 round Segna produced nothing, and the unfortunate 

 Uzcoques were in danger of dying of hunger. This 

 they felt by no means inclined to do, and ere long 

 complaints began to be made of piracies and depre- 

 dations committed by the Segnarese on the vessels 

 and territory of Venice. For some time no applica- 

 tion on the subject was made to Austria, and when 

 made it was found to be of little avail. 



At the period to which this narrative refers, 

 Austria had already formed those designs upon her 

 southern neighbour, which in more modern times 

 she has carried out with complete success. The fer- 



