Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/433

Rh Bubtân. The numerous retainers of these chiefs sided with them in their defection, and thus considerably weakened Bedr Khan Beg's confederates, who nevertheless were still determined to test the strength of their antagonists. The first skirmish between the two opposing parties took place near Jezeerah, and a few of the combatants were killed on both sides. The Coords then attacked the enemy's camp by night, and committed great havoc among the Turks, but the latter rallying in time charged the assailants, entirely routed them, and forthwith proceeded to invest Deir Gooli, Bedr Khan Beg's stronghold, which surrendered at discretion. The Emeer himself was engaged in the attack upon the Turkish camp, and fled from the field accompanied by a troop of his irregular horse. The next engagement took place a little below Sert, where Ziner Beg and Khan Mahmood of Van fell upon the Erzeroom division, but were repulsed with great loss, and many were driven into the river and either shot or drowned in attempting to escape. The Coords are said to have fought bravely, but the advantage of numbers, arms, and ammunition, was on the side of their antagonists. When they had no other resource they rushed upon the Turks with their short daggers, and seldom or never asked for quarter.

These defeats were soon followed by the submission of several Coordish tribes, and Noorallah Beg, on receiving a promise that his life should be spared, surrendered himself to the Turkish general. Bedr Khan Beg shortly followed his example, and the war was at an end. It is stated that while a prisoner in the enemy's camp the Emeer dressed himself in the Nizam costume, and wore on his breast the decoration which he had formerly received from the Sultan. Osman Pasha on perceiving this ordered him immediately to put on his Coordish clothes, and not to disgrace the sovereign's uniform. Some time after this occurrence all the rebel chiefs were led through the streets of Jezeerah, chained and mounted on horses, previous to their being taken to Constantinople; and it is some little consolation to know, that little fear need be entertained of their being let loose from their ignominious exile,—Bedr Khan Beg in Candia, and the other notorious abettors of his tyranny in other parts of western Turkey,—again to persecute and destroy the Christians of central Coordistan.