Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/313

Rh factions were at their height. The weight of his influence, backed by a force of 25,000 men, thrown into the scale in favour of Bajazet, at once determined the result.

When the new sultan heard that his brother had raised the standard of revolt at Broussa he despatched Achmet with a strong force to oppose him. The first conflict terminated in favour of Djem, and he thereupon caused himself to be proclaimed as the new Ottoman ruler. On this, Bajazet arousing himself to meet the exigencies of the case, advanced in person against him. His forces being far superior both in numbers and discipline, completely overthrew Djem’s army, and the young prince himself was compelled to seek safety in flight. Accompanied by a very slender escort, he extricated himself from the field of battle and made good his escape into Egypt. There he was received with every demonstration of respect and hospitality. Encouraged by these friendly sentiments, he used his utmost exertions to induce the sultan Kaitbai to embrace his cause. In this ho was unsuccessful, the sultan not being willing to assist him in any other capacity than as a mediator with his brother.

Whilst fruitless negotiations were being carried on, Djem received an offer from Kasim Boy, the chief of Caramania, who had been despoiled of much territory by Mahomet, to assist him in securing the Ottoman throne provided that Djem would on his side pledge himself to restore to the Bey the captured provinces. The prince eagerly accepted these terms, and joining Kasim Bey, again strove to make headway against his brother. Achmet, however, advanced a second time against him, and the new levies melted away at the approach of the Ottoman army, Djem himself taking refuge amongst the mountain passes of the district. Feeling his cause hopeless in his own country, he despatched an embassy to Rhodes seeking to place himself under the protection of the fraternity, and demanding for that purpose a safe conduct from the Grand- Master. The propriety of acceding to this request was warmly debated in council at Rhodes, but the permission was eventually granted, and a safe conduct despatched to Djem by the hands of the grand-prior of Castile, Don Alvares do Zuniga. This envoy met the prince at Corycus, on the borders of Cilicia,