Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/92

 those they call Heydukes, some of which were afterwards taken, and put to death at Buda, where they confessed to the Bashaw thereof, that they lay in wait for me and my Train, under a broken Bridge we were to pass, that so they might assault us unawares. The Truth is, a few may very easily circumvent and destroy a great many Passengers on such Bridges; for the Bridges are ill-built, and the Planks are set so wide, and gaping one from another, that you can scarce go over them safe on Horseback, without danger of falling, if you are never so careful; and if some meet you before, others will fall on your Rear, and others start out from the Reeds and Sedges below, where they hide themselves, and so accost you in the Flank, and you can hardly manage your Horse for Self-defence, by reason of the badness of the Bridge: No doubt you may be treated as the Romans were in the Caudine Streights; be either taken, or killed, at Pleasure. I know not what it was that deterred them from assaulting us; whether it were our Numbers, or the Sight of the Hungarians with us; or because we were in a long Train, and all were not on the Bridge at once; or whatever else it was that withheld them, by God's Blessing, we got safe to Buda. The Bashaw of the Town was not then at home; he was gone to Pest, on the other side of the River, where they had a Council of War, after the manner of the Hungarians, they call them Rachi. Many Sanziacks were already come thither, but more were expected; for which Cause, when I desired Audience, 'twas put off for three Days, that the Janizaries and military Persons might make a greater Show. Then I was sent for over, and conveyed to his Tent, where he made Complaints to me of the Injuries that some Hungarians had done him. It is usual, in those frontier Garrisons,