Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/206

 Blows, the Italians assisting my Men. The cause of the Scuffle was, that one of the Janizaries lost the Linnen Covering off his Head, which was thrown I know not whither: Hereupon the Janizaries hurry away to their General, complaining of their Wrongs and Damage received by my Servants; for they watch'd them, and found them return'd to my House. Their General presently sent for my Interpreter, who was present at the Conflict: He was seiz'd upon sitting at my Door, and they were pulling him away. I beheld it from a Gallery above, and was much concern'd, that any of my Family should be taken forcibly from me without my Consent, to be carried to the Bastinado, (for I understood something of the Matter before); and I could not imagine he would be return'd to me without being well beaten, he being one of the Turk's Subjects. Whereupon I ran down, and laid hold on him, commanding them to let him go. They quitted him with much ado, but hasted immediately with far more grievous Complaints to their General, who commanded more of their Company to go and seize those Italians, who of Christians are said to have become Turks; yet he charged them to offer no Violence to me, or to the House where I lodged. They came back presently, and with a great Noise and many Threats, demanded those Italians; but they, foreseeing what would come to pass, had sailed back to Constantinople. Much Clamour there was on both sides; at last my Chiaux at that time, who was an old decrepid Man, out of a jeer thrust some Pistoles into their Hands unknown to me, to buy a new Bonnet in the room of that which was lost; and thus the Dispute ended.