Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/352

 314 Readings in Eitropean History there were three hundred thousand tents and reckon three men to a tent, but that would make the number too great to be believed. However, there must have been at least one hundred thousand tents, and from these each of the conquer- ors takes away what he likes. The townspeople, too, are rushing out to get their share. I believe it will take them eight days to gather in all the booty. A number of Austrian people — women folk especially — whom the Turkish army had taken captive, but could not carry away with them in their hasty flight, they cut down with their sabers ; but many of them can be healed of their wounds. This morning early I went into the town and found that it could not have held out five days longer. Never have the eyes of men beheld so great damage done in so brief a time ; great masses of stone and rock have been broken up and tossed about in heaps by the enemy's mines, and the impe- rial castle is riddled with holes and ruined by their cannon balls. I had a long fight against the vizier, because he threw his whole force against my right wing, so that the troops of the left wing had but little to do, and finally left their position and came to my aid. Then (when the victory was won) I was surrounded by the elector of Bavaria, Prince von Wal- deck, and many more of the imperial princes, who embraced and kissed me ; the generals grasped my hands and feet ; the other commanders and officers, with their regiments on horse and on foot, shouted, " Our brave king ! " Early this morning came the elector of Saxony and the dukes of Lorraine, who had no chance to speak to me yesterday because their posi- tion was on the outermost edge of the left wing. Finally, the governor of Vienna, Count von Stahrenberg, accompa- nied by a great crowd of people of both high and low degree, came out to greet me, all kissing and petting me and calling me their savior. Later I visited two churches, where again I found crowds of people who tried to kiss my hands, and even my feet and clothing; most of them had to content themselves with touching my coat. All around one heard