Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/276

 *nizaries. They happened to go to the House of another Janizary hard by, who was appointed as Governor of the Place to guard Passengers; for the Turks use to appoint one or two Janizaries in every noted Town to protect Christian Passengers from Violence; by which Office they get no small Profit: But this Man, for some Offence or other, had been put out of his Office, and therefore, was of a very surly Temper. My People viewed his House, and not finding it for their Turn, were going away; the Janizary first, my Servant next, and the Physician last. In the Interim, the Janizary, Master of the House, walking in his Garden, was told, that some Christian Passengers were seeking for a Lodging at his House: Whereupon, he came in a great Rage, with a Club like Hercules's, in his Hand, and without speaking a Word, strikes the Physician a great Blow on the Shoulders, as hard as he was able; the Physician, to avoid a second Blow, ran out of the House. My Servant, looking back, saw him lift up his Club to strike him also; but he, having a Thing like a Hatchet in his Hand, held it cross-ways over his Head, and so kept off many a lusty Blow, till at last the Handle of the Hatchet, by his often stricking, began to break. Then my Servant was forced to close in with the Janizary, and was about to cleave his Skull with his Weapon: Whereupon, the Janizary fled, and my Servant not being able to overtake him, threw the Hatchet after him, which cut him in the Hams, and fell'd him to the Ground; by which Accident, my People escaped: But the Physician cryed out, that he was a dead Man, and that all his Bones were broken in Pieces. De Sande heard his Complaint; yet, though he was vext, could not choose but smile, as thinking that the Doctor was more afraid than hurt: But, that which most tormented him,