36 The Persian Travels Book I 



as we were drinking Wine , in a place which they cfteem Sacred , and by confe- 

 quence was among them accounted an aft of Sacriledge. Chriflian Dogs, cry'd they, 

 when they came near us , to eat and drinks in a Mofquee , and profane a holy place 

 ai yon do, at a time that renders the offence more criminal ! No , cry'd I , anlwering 

 for the reft , we drinkjno Wine, we drin^nothing lorn Watery and yen may tafl it, faid 

 I to him that was the moft bufie -, with that I caus'd a Glafs to be pour'd out and 

 giv'nhim} and I gave one of the7V^ a private wink, who underftanding it was 

 a promife of gratuity, turn'd about to his Comrades, and cry'd, 'Tis very true, 

 they drink^rto Wine. However in regard they had Orders to bring us before the 

 Cody, there was no contending. Thereupon I. and three others undertook to 

 and anfwer for all the reft. The Cady reviPd us as bad as the Janizary atfirft} 

 but he was not only furpriz'd , but very much troubled , when they all unanimoufly 

 affirm'd that we drank no Wine , believing they were confederates with us. But 

 I had cunningly flipt eight Ducats into the Hand of the Turk^to whom I had made 

 a fign with my Eye , who over-joy'd at fo plentiful a gratuity, had over-perfwaded 

 his Comrades not to fay any thing againft us. The Cady though he did not like their 

 Teftimony, yet call'd for Coffee for us, according to the cuftom of the Country, and 

 fent us to his Lieutenant -, who having been often greas'd in the Fift 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, howeve-r a {mail matter would content him. There- 

 upon we gave the Lieutenant twenty-five Ducats, who moft certainly -went Imps 

 with the Cady, and fo return'd us to our Company, who were much afraid we would 

 not have come off fo. 



We were refolv'd to return to Smyrna not the fame way we came , and fo we 

 took another Road , which was a very pleafant way, partly over firm Sands , and 

 partly thorough Meadows , where we met with lèverai narrow Dikes very well 

 Pav'd. Then we crofs a rugged high Mountain , and lay in a Mahumetan 

 Barn. 



The next day we return'd to Smyrna , having finiûVd dur fmall Journey to Ephefus 

 in five days. When we told the Confuls how the Janizary had betray'd us , they 

 made their Complaint to the Janizary Aga and the Cady, who, for his puniftiment 

 put him out of the Confulh fervice , which is an advantageous Employment. For 

 befides that the Confutes 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 fome way 

 or other -, efpecially at good times , as New-years-day and other Feftivals. Nor 

 could the Janizary have been more feverely punifh'd ? for the Turks love Mone^ 

 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 

 letting out being fix'd , every one provides himfelf 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 laft 

 time I went we made it thirty-eight from Pongarbachi. 



The firft day we travel'd eight hours through a Country whofe profpeft was not 

 unpleafing , leaving fome Villages more than a League from the Road j and we 

 lodg'd in a Park, near the River Paftolus; which is a lmall River, the Sand whereof 

 fhines, and is of feveral colours. Which caus'd Antiquity to call Pactolm Golden-. 

 Sanded. It falls from the Mountain T molm , and after it has water'd the Territory 

 of Sardis , mixes with the River Hermus , that throws it felf 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 fix hours we came to Durgout , a little City in a Plain. All 

 Chriftians that live not in the Territories of the Grand Signer , and pais that way, 

 once a Year pay Carrage, or a Tribute of four or five Crowns : but the Franki are 

 exempt , both at Durgout and over all Turkic. There refides a Bajha in this City -, 

 and wc were conftrain'd to flop there a whole day , becaufe the Caravan that 

 comes from Perfia arriv'd at that time , fo that they were fore'd to change their 

 Camels. 



The third day, after five hours travel in extremity of Heat , we came to lodge 

 near a paltry Village. 



The 



