curred, perhaps of a temple of Menes, called Carour. This
deity was worthipped in a peculiar manner. The temple was
between Caroura and Laodicea, and had once been a great
feminary of phyficiajis.
D e n i s l i is fortified with an ordinary wall, which inclofes a
few cottages, and refembles Segigeck. The gate-way, on our
approach, was crouded with men and boys. Our Janizary and.
Swifs tarried there to purchafe provifions and other nec'eflaries,
while we difmounted in a meadow at a fmall diftance expecting
their return. Our baggage-horfes were fcarcely unloaded, when
both rejoined usj the Swifs complaining, that the Greeks under-
ftood only the Turkith language, in which he was not ekpert;
the other-to inform us, we were required by the owner of the
ground to change our conack or rejiing-place. We removed to a
tree, under which we dined, by a muddy ftream, and were
wetted by a fmart fhower.
W e had lately perceived an alteration in the carriage of the
Turks; who, in the interior regions, feldom fee ftrangers, and
are full of ferocity. A general want of cordiality toward. us
had been apparent, and fome trifling infults we had received
on the road, were fore-runners of more inconvenient incivilities. ‘
Some Turks here told us, we had no danger to apprehend on
this fide of the plain; but if we proceeded to Pambouk on the
farther fide we muft be cautious, for the Turcomans in that
quarter were robbers and murderers.
W e fet out again for Efki-hifiar or Laodicea, then diftant an
hour northward. On the way a Turk, whofe drefs and mein
befpoke him above the common rank, overtook us j and, our
. men enquiring, courteoufly diredted them to a commodious fitua-
.tion for our tent, which we pitched in the evening on a fmall
rifing, on the edge of the plain, by the junction of two
! ftreams.
We
22g
W e were in general very much fatigued, and about funfet
lay down to reft; an Armenian or two watching our horfes,.
which were flaked and grazing by the tent. Some time after it
was dark, we were fuddenly furrounded by armed mefi, conduced
by the Turk, who had recommended this fpotT Their
bufinefs was to demand Bac-fhifh for their Aga. They pryed
into our baggage, prancing their long-tailed horles, and threatening,
if they were not immediately gratified. We were too
foundly afleep within the tent to be ealily awakened. The Swifs;
lhaking the relater by the hand, informed him of the quality
and importunity of thefe unwelcome vifitants. He was bid to
tell their chief, that the Aga fliould be fatisfied in the morning ;
and the Janizary urging, that the hour was unfeafonable, and that
we purpofed ftaying, they were prevailed on to depart, taking him
with them to pacify their mafter.
At the dawn of day a Turk was fent to obferve if we were
ftirring, and the Janizary fet out with our Firhman, and a pre-
fent of coffee, fugar, and money; but tlie Aga declared, he
would have at leaft an hundred and thirty piaftres; and Mufta-
pha, pleading our Firhman and remonftrating, was feized, dif-
armed, and thrown into prifon. In the mean time we were very
uneafy at the tent, prefaging no good from his long flay. After
fome hours, we faw him coming without his gun, piftol, or
fabre; terrified and dejedled. He exclaimed, we were among
rebels and robbers; that the roads were befet to prevent our
efcape, and the Aga, if we hefitated to comply with his demand;
was determined to cut us in pieces, and take poffeffion of our
baggage.
T he Janizary deferibed this Aga as uncommonly fierce and
haughty, and bade us apprehend the very worft confequences
from his intemperance and favage difpofition. The impreffion
made on him was communicated to our Armenians, and we all
difliked our fituation. After a fhort confultation, I gave him
" twenty
}