Page:Adventures of Baron Wenceslas Wratislaw of Mitrowitz (1862).djvu/222

 them everything that we had, rugs, clothes, and spirits, and kissed and embraced each other, not imagining but that we should be set free in the morning. But we were shamefully deceived. For there in heathendom, just as with us Christians, when the Emperor makes any promise to any one, if that person has not a good friend at court, and if he makes no presents, his just matter is often left in the lurch. Thus it happened to us poor wretches. For having given away everything that we possessed, we had afterwards to suffer hunger and all manner of want; and whereas we might have lain on the rugs, we were obliged to be satisfied with the bare ground.

At this time a German, a goldsmith in Galata, who had assisted Herr von Hofkirch and many other prisoners in getting out of prison, had it proved against him, and was put in gaol, and tortured, and before daybreak the poor fellow was thrown on a hook. When the Turks searched his house, they found copies of intelligence which he had been in the habit of sending by letter to Christendom, and immediately put many Christian merchants in prison on mere suspicion; but let them out again, when the unfortunate man made no confession to implicate them. The Emperor’s mother was very fond of this goldsmith, for he was a very good craftsman, and used to do all that she wanted. As soon as she heard that he was arrested, she immediately ordered him to be released; but before the order arrived the poor man had been hung upon the hook. It was a pity. He was a very good man, and assisted many Christian prisoners to freedom. May it please the Lord God that his soul may come into the number of the elect!

News now arrived that Synan Pasha was returning