XIX.
1766
-
1767.
[Emin
at
Catickh,
where
resides
Yusup
of
the
Beglarians,
Melik
of
Gulistan
-
Danger
from
Shaverdy
Khan
-
Yusup
hawking
and
drinking,
heeds
nothing
-
His
500
fighting
men
go
to
their
villages
-
Mahomedans
attack
-
Yusup
wants
to
run
away
-
Emin
persuades
the
few
men
left
to
stand
firm
and
resist
-
Persians
flee
-
Rallied
by
Ballah
Mahomed
-
His
provocation
to
Yusup
-
Aga
Beg,
in
intervals
of
snuff-taking,
shoots
Ballah
dead
-
His
men
fly
-
How
the
clever
Armenian
women
concealed
from
Yusup
all
arms
thrown
away
by
the
Persians,
confiding
in
Emin
alone
-
Disgust
of
Armenians
with
cowardly
Yusup
-
Treacherous
Aivaz
-
Hathams
attempt
to
make
Yusup
submit
to
Shaverdy
-
Emins
imaginary
wealth
turns
the
scale!
-
Yusups
son
Apov
as
hostage
to
Shaverdy
-
Returns
with
message
warning
Yusup
that
his
"English
guest"
alone
has
saved
him
this
time
-
Yusup
goes
to
his
citadel
of
Gulistan
-
Ibrahim
Khan,
the
governor
of
Karabagh,
provides
corn
for
nine
months
-
Wonderful
fertility
of
this
land,
where
inhabitants
have
everything
but
prudent
management.
]
Trinabad,
where
Hatham
resided,
was
nearer
by
six
or
seven
miles
to
Ganja
than
Gedashen,
where
Yusup
was.
Here
Emin,
in
his
way
to
Curdistan,
arrived,
from
the
woods
of
Dagistan,
at
the
village
of
Catickh,
after
having
made
that
inroad
which
saved
many
thousands
of
Armenians
from
lasting
captivity.
Yusup
receiving
him
with
open
arms,
persuaded
him
to
stay
with
him;
and
he,
finding
the
chief
very
earnest
in
his
desire,
consented,
and
thought
himself
very
happy,
advising
the
chief
not
to
stay
longer
at
Gedashen,
nor
expect
a
single
grain
of
wheat
from
Shameor,
almost
at
the
distance
of
twenty-five
miles.
"The
city
of
Ganja,
"
said
he,
"is
between
you
and
that
place,
and
the
Khan
Shaverdy
growing
more
and
more
powerful
every
day,
and
having
already
collected
twelve
thousand
men,
will
not
easily
let
you
have
your
provision
from
Shameor.
"
He
said,
"No,
Sir;
Hatham,
a
favourite
of
the
khans,
has
promised
that
we
shall
have
it
all.
"
Emin
then
said,
"Since
you
will
not
hear
my
advice,
to
set
out
directly
from
this
town
to
the
fortress
of
Gulistan,
you
must
expect
a
visit
from
Shaverdy,
with
a
formidable
body
of
fighting
men.
"
The
chief
smiled,
saying,
"Never
mind;
let
us
enjoy
the
wholesome
wine
of
this
place
for
some
time,
then
we
shall
consider
your
advice.
"
In
short,
he
could
not
be
dissuaded
from
his
way
of
thinking,
and
from
the
good
opinion
he
had
of
Hathams
interest
with
the
khan.
He
went
on
amusing
himself,
hawking
every
day,
and
drinking
every
night,
till
three
in
the
morning,
with
his
officers
and
the
elders
of
the
tribe.
On
the
contrary,
Emin
passed
his
time
in
rising
early
in
the
morning
before
the
sun,
taking
with
him
his
breakfast,
and
walking
up
and
down
the
high
mountains,
so
as
to
come
to
his
quarters
just
half
an
hour
after
sun-set.
As
it
was
the
latter
end
of
autumn
and
beginning
of
winter,
he
enjoyed
his
health
by
breathing
a
fine
air
in
the
highest
perfection;
yet
it
made
the
people
wonder
what
could
be
the
reason
of
his
going
so
many
miles
a-day,
without
any
business
or
benefit.
Thus,
for
forty
days,
he
reconnoitered
in
his
walks
every
part
of
those
mountains,
observing
the
strong
or
weak
passes
in
them;
but
the
village
Gedashen,
where
he
and
Yusup
had
quarters,
was
much
exposed
by
its
situation
on
the
brow
of
a
hill.
Just
on
the
top
of
it
there
was
a
breast-work
thrown
up
in
former
days
by
some
Persian
general,
deep
enough
to
cover
men,
and
to
direct
their
pieces
down;
and
behind
that
entrenchment
there
was
the
Armenian
burying-ground,
with
a
field
round
it,
large
enough
to
hold
an
army
of
forty
thousand
men,
surrounded
with
high
mountains,
having
only
a
high
pass
to
the
north,
almost
inaccessible;
but
as
there
were
no
men
posted
to
guard
it,
and
it
was
almost
four
miles
distant
from
the
village,
it
was
of
no
use.
Towards
the
south,
over
the
river,
there
was
a
thick
wood,
which,
in
case
of
a
surprize
by
an
enemy,
would
have
been
an
excellent
retreat
for
the
villagers;
but
the
river
being
so
rapid
between
it
and
the
village,
precluded
all
hope
of
passing
over,
though
it
was
not
so
deep
as
six
feet.
Emin
gave
intelligence
of
all
this,
and
described
the
bad
situation
of
the
place;
but
Yusup
did
not
mind
it,
and
said,
"Let
the
enemy
come,
we
will
fight
them
at
our
own
doors.
"
The
generous
wine
had
made
him
quite
easy;
till
one
Sunday,
being
the
carnival
of
St.
Jamess
holiday
for
the
following
fast
week,
when
intoxicated
with
wine,
he
stupidly
granted
permission
to
his
five
hundred
fighting
men
to
go
to
their
respective
villages
and
enjoy
themselves
in
celebrating
that
saints
day,
by
eating
and
drinking.
Emin
was
very
much
against
it,
and
said
to
him,
"That
imprudent
proceeding
of
yours,
depend
upon
it,
will
be
productive
of
evil
consequences.
If
the
enemy
should
pay
you
a
visit,
and
their
distance
is
but
a
day
and
a
halfs
journey,
what
will
become
of
us
then?"
The
answer
the
chief
made
to
him
was,
again,
"Never
mind
it;
"
and
ordered
his
servants
to
prepare
a
drinking
supper
for
that
night.
Emin
hated
the
very
name
of
it,
went
to
his
own
quarters
and
slept
after
his
supper.
Unknown
to
him,
about
one
in
the
morning,
the
chief
fortunately
happened
to
receive
intelligence
from
an
Armenian
of
Ganja,
who
was
coming
to
Gedashen
for
some
business
of
his
own,
with
another
Armenian;
and
falling
unawares
among
the
troops
of
Ganja,
commanded
by
Mahommed
Hassan
Khan,
his
comrade
was
taken;
but
he
being
more
active,
made
his
escape,
and
brought
the
dreadful
news
to
the
chief,
saying,
"Yesterday
there
was
report
in
the
city
of
Ganja,
that
a
body
of
Lazgui
inroaders
had
crossed
the
river
Cur,
which
is
to
the
east
of
the
town,
about
six
miles
distance.
In
the
afternoon
Mahommed
Hassan
Khan
marched
with
his
troops
to
meet
them
and
give
them
battle.
The
people
never
suspected
that
his
march
out
of
the
place
was
a
kind
of
stratagem,
in
order
to
make
us
Christians
easy
in
mind,
and
rest
satisfied
without
giving
information.
Last
night,
about
ten
oclock,
I
and
another
Armenian
set
out
from
Ganja,
and
having
come
half
of
the
way,
discovered
to
the
eastward
a
great
body
of
horse.
They
seeing
us,
gallopped
towards
us,
and
took
my
companion,
but
I
made
my
escape
by
flight.
As
it
was
very
dark,
they
could
neither
see
nor
find
me
out,
since
the
horse
are
obliged
to
keep
with
the
foot.
I
ran
all
the
way
to
let
you
know,
before
their
coming
up,
that
you
may
be
able
to
put
yourself
upon
your
guard.
"
The
chief
had
no
more
than
forty
men,
with
Aga
Beg,
commander
of
his
body
guards;
and
being
greatly
distressed,
without
knowing
how
to
act,
was
ashamed
of
himself
for
not
hearing
Emins
advice;
and
out
of
politeness
did
not
send
any
person
to
wake
him.
Having
divided
the
men
into
four
unequal
parts,
he
posted
five
of
them,
with
himself
and
his
son
Beglar,
behind
a
large
rock,
in
the
middle
of
the
brow
of
that
hill
under
which
stood
Gedashen.
The
second
division
consisted
of
twelve
men,
and
the
third
of
thirteen;
and
he
placed
them
severally
in
the
mouth
of
two
vallies
to
the
right
and
left
of
the
village,
reaching
like
two
arms
down
to
the
river,
so
as
to
form
almost
a
semicircle,
in
order
to
annoy
the
enemy
who
should
come
down
that
way.
In
this
manner
he
made
a
disposition
with
his
few
men,
and
stood
waiting
to
receive
the
enemy.
Mohammed
Hassan
Khan,
who,
two
hours
before
sun-rise,
at
the
head
of
2000
Kizelbashes,
2000
Mahometan
foot,
and
500
Ganja
Armenians,
arrived
and
took
possession
of
the
breast-work
on
the
top
of
the
village,
mentioned
before;
finding
those
two
easy
passages
guarded,
he
ordered
the
men
to
fire
by
vollies
down
to
the
village,
in
hope
of
frightening
the
inhabitants
into
consternation,
having
intelligence
before
of
the
foolish
plan
of
Yusup,
whose
men
were
to
go
out
holiday
making;
and
not
in
the
least
doubting
of
success,
took
for
granted
that
he
should
easily
be
in
possession
of
the
tribe,
since
the
Armenians
of
Gedashen
on
the
other
hand,
with
its
treacherous
burghmaster
Aratun,
were
his
subjects,
and
would
help
within
the
place
to
promote
his
base
designs.
But
Aratun,
who,
jealous
of
Yusups
power,
had
encouraged
the
khan
to
undertake
that
expedition,
happened
to
be
secured
that
very
night.
He
knew
not
indeed
the
diabolical
intention
of
his
master,
who
came
not
only
to
enslave
Yusups
clan,
but
to
sell
him
also,
and
his
twelve
other
villages,
to
the
Tartars
and
Lazguis;
so
that
the
captives
would
amount
to
18,
000
souls.
In
that
dreadful
instant,
the
report
of
so
many
thousand
fire-arms,
the
great
noise
of
the
Mahometans,
crying
"Allah!
Allah!"
the
lamentable
cries
of
the
Christians,
with
their
helpless
families
and
innocent
children,
starting
out
of
their
beds,
awakened
Emin
out
of
his
sleep,
not
a
little
surprized
at
the
disturbance.
No
sooner
had
he
come
out
of
the
house,
than
he
found
the
condition
of
those
poor
creatures,
and
saw
the
sad
situation
of
the
chief,
who
shrunk
behind
the
rock
with
his
son
and
five
men,
preparing
to
run
away.
Emin
cried
out
to
him,
saying,
"Chief,
I
find
you
want
to
act
rashly;
let
your
horse
go,
this
is
not
a
time
to
mount,
for
the
place
is
too
steep
for
galloping
up,
or
rushing
on
the
enemy
sword
in
hand.
"
He
understood
the
meaning
of
Emins
words,
let
go
the
horses
reins,
and
asked
him,
in
great
confusion,
what
they
should
do?
Emin
said,
"Mind
your
business;
persevere
with
patience;
and
when
(by
the
help
of
God)
you
have
finished
the
days
work,
you
shall
drink
wine
again.
"
In
the
mean
time,
he
saw
the
twelve
mountaineers
marching
down,
and
they
honestly
told
him,
that
they
were
going
to
run
away.
They
added,
in
anger,
"We
wish
the
devil
had
our
chief,
who
did
not
follow
your
advice,
and
has
got
himself
into
this
scrape!
what
can
so
few
hands
do
against
so
many
thousands,
pouring
like
a
deluge,
ready
to
drown
us
all?"
He
said,
"It
is
a
shame
for
you
to
fly.
Can
you
bear
the
thought
of
having
your
wives
defiled
by
the
Mahomedans?
Can
you
live
with
a
good
conscience,
after
hearing
that
your
harmless
children
have
been
made
captives,
and
sold
like
cattle
to
the
infidels?
I,
who
have
neither
of
those
heart-destroying
objects
in
view,
am
ready
to
die
with
a
good
will,
and
to
lose
my
life
like
a
man,
and
a
true
Christian.
"
They
said,
"You
must
have
been
inspired
by
some
miracle;
let
us
know
it;
then
we
will
stand
by
you.
"
He
had
the
presence
of
mind
to
say,
"Yes;
half
an
hour
ago
I
invoked
St.
John
the
Baptist,
who
appeared
to
me
in
his
glory,
and
said,
Rise
from
thy
bed;
go,
tell
the
Armenians,
that
victory
is
on
their
side,
if
two
or
three
of
them
will
but
stand:
I
am
St.
John
the
Baptist,
and
will
fight
for
them.
"
No
sooner
had
they
heard
this,
than
they
turned
their
faces
towards
the
enemy,
who
were
all
the
while
firing,
and
making
a
noise,
saying,
"Glory
to
Mahomed!
Sword
and
fire
to
the
Caffers!"
It
was
highly
pleasing
to
observe
the
exertion
of
those
brave
fellows;
how
they
climbed
up
the
hill;
rushed
on,
like
angry
lions,
into
the
thickest
of
the
enemys
fire,
and
put
them
almost
in
confusion;
for
about
seven
minutes
they
seemed
as
if
they
were
lost
among
the
multitude.
From
the
left
and
right
came
those
that
were
posted;
and
the
chief,
with
his
son
and
five
men,
followed
the
example
with
equal
courage.
They
opened
the
first
Persian
they
had
killed;
after
cutting
his
head
off,
and
taking
out
his
heart,
they
dipt
it
in
the
river;
a
superstition
in
great
credit
among
them;
for
they
believe
that
by
so
doing,
they
cause
a
panic
throughout
the
enemys
forces.
And
so
it
happened;
for
they
began
to
take
to
their
heels.
In
the
heat
of
the
action,
the
brave
Armenians
cut
off
three
heads,
and
killed
100
horses.
They
brought
the
heads,
and
threw
them
down
before
Emin;
asking,
if
the
English
(whom
he
had
been
praising)
could
fight
as
well
as
they?
The
Persians
were
really
so
much
panic-struck,
that
the
Armenians
grew
wildly
courageous;
and
two
of
them,
without
making
use
either
of
firearms
or
swords,
ran
towards
the
enemy,
caught
by
the
neck
two
Persians,
and
brought
them
to
the
chief.
When
the
enemy
lost
the
ground
where
they
were
before
posted,
Ballah
Mahomed,
the
second
in
command,
mounted
on
a
very
fine
horse,
with
sword
in
hand,
rallied
a
great
part
of
the
broken
army,
seeing
the
small
number
of
the
Armenians;
encouraging
some,
and
abusing
others,
in
language
becoming
all
Mahomedan
nations.
Then,
having
put
himself
at
the
head
of
them,
he
returned
very
slowly
back,
till
within
sixty
yards
of
the
Armenians;
when
he
began
to
insult
Yusup
the
chief,
and
to
threaten
furiously,
saying,
that
within
half
an
hour
he
should
be
in
possession
of
the
clan;
that
he
would
slay
all
the
fighting
men
with
the
sword
of
Mortza
Aly;
violate
his
women
before
his
eyes,
and
sell
the
captives
to
the
Lazguis.
He
added,
that
he
dreamed
the
preceding
night,
that
he
was
amusing
himself
with
the
Armenian
young
married
women;
and
that
the
virgins
were
sent,
by
Mahomed
the
great
prophet,
to
his
seraglio.
That
speech
was
sufficient
to
provoke
God
and
man!
It
made
the
chief
look
round
quite
exasperated;
and,
in
a
hurry,
he
ordered
Aga
Beg,
his
uspashy
or
centurion,
to
fire
at
him.
The
gallant
Armenian,
instead
of
pointing
his
gun,
took
a
large
leather
bag
of
snuff
out
of
his
pocket,
with
a
string
about
a
yard
and
a
half
long,
and,
opening
it
with
the
utmost
composure,
presented
it
to
his
chief,
saying,
"Sir,
do
not
be
out
of
patience;
take
a
pinch;
the
abominable
words
of
Ballah
Mahomed
will
break
his
neck,
and
those
of
his
cowardly
Persians.
"
Then
offering
the
snuff
to
Emin,
he
said,
"I
hope,
Sir,
you
are
not
afraid,
like
my
master,
who
will
not
take
a
pinch
of
snuff,
though
very
fond
of
it.
"
Emin
took
it,
and
said,
"My
brave
countryman,
my
mother
would
not
have
given
me
milk
when
I
was
born,
if
she
had
thought
I
should
ever
be
afraid.
"
He
replied,
"Thou
art
the
man
whom
we
wanted;
"
and
levelled
his
piece
at
the
Persian.
At
the
snapping
of
the
lock,
Ballah
Mahomed
turned
his
horse
quickly,
leaning
his
body
over
its
left
side;
but
the
ball
took
him
behind,
and
overthrew
him
headlong
upon
the
ground.
The
valiant
troops,
seeing
the
fate
of
their
commander,
took
to
their
heels,
dropping
their
arms,
and
flew
like
a
broken
herd;
when
his
own
servants,
with
much
difficulty,
carried
off
the
dead
corpse
of
their
master;
which
completed
the
victory.
On
the
enemys
side
were
forty
heads
cut
off,
fifty
fine
horses
killed,
500
men
wounded,
of
whom
300
died
a
few
days
after
in
their
own
houses.
The
loss
on
the
Armenian
side
was
but
four
men.
After
pursuing
the
enemy
very
close
about
two
miles,
Emin
thought
it
proper
to
call
the
Armenians
back;
and
retreated
to
Gedashen,
with
an
expectation,
in
their
way,
of
picking
up
the
enemys
arms,
or
part
of
their
baggage.
But
there
was
not
a
single
thing
left;
for
the
Armenian
women,
availing
themselves
of
the
opportunity,
had
carried
all
away,
and
concealed
them
so
as
none
could
be
discovered;
nor
would
they
confess
the
truth
to
their
covetous
chief,
who
did
his
utmost
to
exact
at
least
a
few
of
them,
but
to
no
purpose.
Emin
was
surprized
to
find
them
so
firm
and
resolute,
as
not
to
be
tempted
by
the
flattering
promises
of
the
chief,
who
examined
them
one
by
one,
and
assured
each,
that
he
would
not
take
away
her
own
booty,
provided
she
would
betray
the
others.
The
answer
they
made
was
no
more
than
this:
"Sir,
we
know
nothing
of
it,
nor
do
we
betray
any
one.
"
But
when
Emin
sent
for
them
to
his
quarters,
they
had
so
great
confidence
in
him,
that
they
confessed
the
truth,
and
gave
a
very
good
reason
for
their
conduct;
saying,
"When
our
children
are
grown
up
to
manhood,
the
chief
(who
is
no
better
than
a
heathen)
will
require
arms,
which
they
will
be
obliged
to
buy
with
their
own
money;
if
they
can
afford
it,
very
well;
if
not,
he
will
beat
them
almost
to
death:
therefore
we
are
under
a
necessity
to
deny
the
truth,
in
order
to
save
our
young
ones
from
the
oppression
and
tyranny
of
the
chief,
whom
we
saw
at
the
beginning
of
the
battle
almost
terrified,
and
going
to
mount
his
horse
to
run
away,
and
leave
us
a
prey
to
the
Mahomedans.
God
knows
what
would
have
become
of
us
poor
wretches,
if
you
had
not
been
here!
But
Providence
sent
you
to
save
us
from
that
everlasting
destruction,
both
of
body
and
soul.
"
Then
they
cried
bitterly;
saying,
"May
God
in
heaven
prosper
and
protect
you!
Take
no
notice
of
what
we
have
said
to
you.
"
Then
they
went
away
to
their
habitations.
This
circumstance
Emin
never
disclosed
to
any
till
this
moment.
When
the
battle
was
supposed
to
be
decided,
all
the
fighting
Armenians
ran
and
kissed
Emins
hand;
thanking
him
for
his
behaviour,
and
boldly
using
several
sarcastical
words,
in
regard
to
Yusups
pusillanimous
conduct;
and
this
before
his
face.
In
the
afternoon
of
that
very
day,
the
enemy,
headed
again
by
Mahomed
Hussan
Khan,
with
fresh
troops,
which
were
sent
to
join
him
by
Shaverdy
Khan
his
father,
together
with
some
field-pieces,
battering
cannons,
and
swivels
on
the
backs
of
camels,
marched
in
good
order
toward
Gedashen;
and
posted
upon
a
hill,
about
a
small
gun-shots
distance
to
the
eastward
of
the
burying-ground;
where
the
500
Armenians
who
had
been
absent,
had
the
day
before
arrived
from
their
villages,
and
had
raised
a
breast-work
of
huge
stones,
so
as
to
shelter
them
in
case
of
a
surprize
by
night.
The
enemy
began
a
few
random
shots,
and
at
the
same
time
made
a
great
noise,
with
an
intention
to
frighten;
but
to
no
effect.
The
brave
Armenians,
instead
of
returning
the
fire,
laughed
at
them.
The
night
coming
on,
about
twelve
oclock
Emin
proposed
to
Yusup,
the
chief,
a
scheme
to
surprize
the
enemys
camp;
and
as
the
men
were
ready
to
undertake
the
expedition,
it
would
have
been
very
easy,
if
Yusup
had
consented.
But
he
made
some
frivolous
excuses;
thanking
Emin
for
his
readiness
and
resolution,
and
saying,
"In
case
Melech
Hatham,
the
chief
of
Charrabert,
should
happen
to
be
with
Mahomed
Hussan
Khan,
ten
to
one
he
will
meet
with
some
accident
from
our
men;
so
that
the
friendship
which
now
subsists
between
us,
will
become
an
everlasting
enmity;
nor
will
our
enemies
be
sorry
for
it.
Although
Hatham
is
caressed
and
bribed
by
Shaverdy,
father
to
Mahomed
Hussan
Khan,
yet
in
his
heart
he
is
our
friend
and
brother.
"
Emin
said,
"Had
he
been
with
the
khan,
he
would
have
come
over
to
see
you;
for
the
distance
between
you
and
the
enemy
is
but
very
small,
"
so
that
both
armies
could
hear
each
other
over
the
small
valley,
if
they
spoke
loud.
However,
no
expostulation
could
persuade
Yusup
to
acquiesce;
the
little
courage
which,
by
the
strength
of
good
wine,
he
had
in
the
morning,
was
then
gone
out
of
his
head.
The
backwardness
of
his
behaviour
excited
wonder
and
contempt
in
his
men;
who
said,
"Our
chief
was
the
bravest
man
in
this
country,
having
killed
no
fewer
than
400
Mahomedans
with
his
own
hand
in
different
actions;
but
he
is
totally
changed;
nor
is
he
the
same
man
whom
we
have
before
seen!"
Emin
comforted
them,
saying,
"Never
mind
it,
my
brave
countrymen,
he
will
recover
his
spirit;
courage
is
like
appetite;
sometimes
it
will
be
present,
and
at
other
times
absent.
I
have
seen
in
my
travels
several
instances
of
the
kind,
even
in
Frankistan,
among
the
officers
and
soldiers:
at
one
time
the
men
would
face
lions,
when
their
courage
was
present;
at
another
time,
they
were
frightened
at
a
dogs
barking.
Persons
of
sense
and
experience
will
not
be
so
inconsiderate
as
wholly
to
condemn
him,
but
will
still
retain
their
respect
for
him.
I
beg
you
will
not
be
too
hasty
in
your
opinion
of
your
noble
chief,
who
has
for
twenty
years
protected
your
families,
and
defended
the
tribe.
"
They
answered,
"God
in
heaven
bless
you!
your
reasons
are
good;
but
we
cannot
help
blaming
that
courage,
which
at
this
critical
time
has
abandoned
our
chief,
who
is
not
even
willing
to
let
you
manage
the
business.
"
During
the
whole
night,
Emin
continued
expostulating
with,
and
comforting
them.
But
one
Eyvaz,
a
native
of
Iravan,
in
the
chiefs
service,
a
very
dastardly
fellow,
was
within
a
hairs
breadth
of
spoiling
everything,
and
defeating
the
inexpressible
pains
which
Emin
took
to
keep
the
men
from
deserting,
through
the
unfortunate
conduct
of
Yusup.
This
man
fetched
a
very
deep
sigh,
as
if
it
had
been
from
the
bottom
of
his
wicked
heart,
and
groaning
heavily,
with
a
dismal
voice,
he
said,
"Great
Sir,
and
my
dear
brethren;
thirteen
long
years
have
passed
since
we
have
carried
arms,
and
never
rested
in
quiet;
always
in
war
and
troubles,
without
relief!"
His
cowardly
speech
had
such
an
effect
on
the
minds
of
the
men,
that
they
began
to
whisper,
and,
in
about
five
minutes,
were
going
to
march
off.
Emin,
observing
the
condition
they
were
in,
made
a
terrible
noise,
insulted
Eyvaz
with
fury,
and
reprimanded
him,
saying,
"Nature
never
bestowed
the
two
blessings
at
once
on
any
man
living,
to
enjoy
the
pleasures
of
voluptuousness,
and
to
have
his
fame
celebrated.
Thou
art
a
dirty
spot
among
these
brave
fellows
Corogly,
the
Turk,
used
to
say,
in
his
heroic
songs
to
his
men
before
they
engaged,
Laka
ogurmasen
meidana
jundan
basdan
guichan
gunyder;
"
that
is,
Let
no
black
spot
(or
coward)
appear
in
this
field
of
action,
but
him
that
has
forgotten
his
life
and
head.
This
verse
Emin
repeated
to
them
singing
very
loud;
and
they,
instead
of
running
away,
began
to
twirl
their
whiskers,
and,
grumbling
like
tigers,
were
very
near
putting
an
end
to
poor
Eyvazs
life,
had
not
Emin
prevented
them.
They
all
said
to
him,
"You
are
the
man
to
save
us.
"
Yusup
also
complimented
him,
saying,
"God
has
sent
you
to
take
care
of
us;
what
would
have
become
of
us,
if
you
had
not
been
here!"
In
this
manner
they
passed
the
whole
night.
Early
in
the
morning,
they
saw
Melech
Hatham,
with
half-a-dozen
horsemen,
arrive
at
Mahomed
Hussan
Khans
camp,
and
dismount
near
his
tent,
and
enter
it.
Presently
after,
he,
with
Johannes
the
Catholicus
of
Ganja,
accompanied
by
two
of
Hussans
officers,
came
ever
to
Yusups
camp,
with
a
proposal
of
treating
for
peace,
on
condition
that
he
would
return
to
Shameor,
to
the
north-west
of
Ganja,
and
become
subject,
as
before,
to
Shaverdy
Khan,
his
father.
Yusup
laughed,
and
said,
"Yesterday
we
were
but
forty
in
all,
yet
did
not
yield;
to-day
we
are
500
strong.
Mahomed
Hussan
Khan
is
mistaken,
nor
will
his
threatening
artillery
have
the
smallest
effect:
on
the
contrary,
by
Gods
assistance,
in
two
hours
time
it
shall
be
our
property.
You,
Hatham,
through
avarice,
and
the
bribes
of
that
false
Mahomedan,
are
persuading
me
to
go
over
to
him,
and
submit
to
his
diabolical
government;
but
his
wicked
design
is
to
make
an
end
of
me
first,
and
then
to
fall
upon
you
like
a
wolf.
The
presents
given
by
him
are
deposited
in
your
coffers;
but,
one
day
or
other,
you
will
be
very
glad
to
return
them
to
him,
and
yourself
will
fall
a
victim
to
his
treachery.
As
for
your
fidelity
to
him,
it
is
mere
infatuation,
with
good
intentions
in
your
own
heart!
I
wish
we
had
known
that
you
were
not
with
him
last
night,
we
might
have
followed
Emins
advice,
which
would
have
saved
us
from
the
trouble
of
hearing
his
haughty
message.
I
beg
therefore
you
will
be
kind
enough
to
withdraw
yourself
from
that
fellow,
that
we
may
a
second
time
hazard
our
fortune
with
him.
"
Hatham
said,
"That
cannot
be
done;
I
am
not
a
Mahomedan;
I
have
taken
my
oath
on
the
Holy
Scripture,
either
to
make
a
good
understanding
between
you
and
Mahomed
Hussan,
or
to
return
to
him
upon
amicable
terms.
As
far
as
I
can
understand,
Mahomed
Hussan
is
already
frightened
out
of
his
senses
by
yesterdays
affair,
and
had
no
rest
all
the
night;
sending
me
three
troopers
after
one
another,
requesting
me
to
go
to
him.
[The
distance
between
the
khan
and
Hatham
was
twelve
English
miles;
Hatham
was
at
a
place
called
Sernabad,
an
Armenian
village,
subject
to
Shaverdy
Khan.
]
I
delayed,
pretending
sickness,
and
hoping
that
our
noble
prince
Emin
would
surprize
the
enemys
camp,
and
take
the
khan
alive.
As
soon
as
I
arrived,
the
commanders
and
the
troops
declared
openly,
that
they
were
ready
to
march
off,
and
leave
the
khan
with
his
domestics
in
the
lurch.
But
you
have
said,
with
your
own
lips,
that
you
would
not
suffer
Emin
to
decide
the
business
at
once.
Now
you
are
talking
big,
and
pleading
excuses!
But
I
see
you
have
lost
your
courage,
and
are
not
the
same
Yusup
that
we
knew
before.
Grant
that
I
had
been
with
the
khan,
and
had
met
the
same
fate
with
him;
yet
my
son
is
alive;
you
would
have
had
the
glory;
and
he
would
have
succeeded
me.
"
While
Hatham
and
the
Mahomedan
officers
were
partly
treating,
and
partly
threatening,
that
they
might
persuade
Yusup
to
march
back
or
submit
to
the
khan,
one
of
his
men
shot
a
large
bird
of
prey
flying
over
the
dead
bodies;
and
thinking
it
a
good
omen
(for
the
enemys
side
were
firing
up
at
the
same
time,
but
none
of
them
could
kill
any),
he
brought
it,
and
threw
it
down
before
Yusup.
He
was
a
Turk,
the
only
one
of
the
Mahomedan
party,
named
Babba;
and
he
thus
expressed
himself:
"Dushmannin
bryla
olsen
buegem;
"
that
is
to
say,
My
prince,
may
your
enemy
become
like
this.
He
hoped
to
be
rewarded
by
Yusup,
who
ordered
Mirza
Voscan,
his
Armenian
secretary,
to
give
him
three
rupees
only,
with
a
few
empty
words;
for
the
chiefs
avarice
words
cannot
express!
But
poor
Emin,
having
at
that
time
in
his
pocket
a
few
Venetian
half-zeckins,
gave
the
man
one
of
them.
He
tossed
it
up
three
times
in
the
air,
and
caught
it;
and
then
made
seven
very
low
bows
to
him,
saying,
"Dovlatan
ziad
olsen!"
that
is
to
say,
May
your
prosperity
increase!
When
this
was
seen
by
the
Persians,
and
Hatham,
who
was
sitting
by
Yusup,
they
were
much
surprized;
and
Hatham
whispering
in
Yusups
ear,
asked,
if
Emin
had
any
more
of
those
gold
pieces
brought
from
England?
He
answered,
yes;
and
said,
that
when
he
first
came
thither,
he
made
him
a
present
of
500
whole
zeckins,
his
lady
of
400,
his
eldest
son
300,
his
youngest
son
200,
and
his
daughter
100;
and
that
very
morning
had
made
an
harangue
to
the
fighting
men,
and
promised,
on
their
behaving
gallantly,
to
give
five
to
each
of
them,
for
every
Mahomedans
head,
or
every
prisoner,
that
they
brought
from
the
field
of
battle.
Hatham,
in
great
amazement,
communicated
the
information
to
the
Persians,
who
looked
as
pale
as
death;
then
casting
his
eyes
towards
a
Khurchin
double
portmanteau,
made
of
fine
Persian
carpet,
within
twenty
yards
distance
from
them,
guarded
by
twelve
stout
armed
mountaineers,
he
asked
Yusup,
what
that
was?
He
(having
had
previous
instructions
from
Emin)
told
him,
that
it
was
full
of
Venetian
zeckins,
which
he
had
shewn
the
men,
and
ordered
them
to
guard
it;
promising,
that
it
should
be
opened
as
soon
as
the
enemys
messengers
were
gone
away.
"I
wish,
"
added
Yusup,
"you
would
not
stay
five
minutes
with
your
beloved
khan,
after
having
returned
his
insolent
message,
and
told
him
to
prepare
for
battle;
since
we
are
resolved
to
fight,
and
rather
to
die
than
submit
to
his
will;
and
(by
Gods
assistance)
we
shall
see
his
whole
army
lying
dead
among
the
stones
of
these
mountains.
Hatham,
depart!
for
ten
to
one
the
men
will
mutiny
if
you
stay
any
longer.
"
This
haughty
language
made
them
believe,
that
the
bag
really
contained
money;
they
not
knowing
that
Emin
had
filled
it
to
the
brim
with
hard
stones
the
night
before,
in
the
presence
of
Yusup
and
his
men.
When
Hatham
went
away
to
the
khan,
ten
minutes
had
not
passed,
before
he
came
back
again
alone
on
horseback,
with
most
humble
compliments
from
the
khan,
and
begged
for
peace.
Yusup
referred
it
to
Emin,
whose
expectation
being
answered,
he
granted
peace
with
seeming
backwardness,
and
said,
"Sir,
it
is
for
your
sake
that
we
consent;
otherwise
the
khan,
with
his
numerous
army,
would
not
have
existed
in
this
world
to
see
the
next
day.
"
Hatham
also
begged,
as
a
favour,
that
Yusups
youngest
son
Abar,
about
seven
years
of
age,
might
go
with
him
to
Ganja,
for
the
safety
of
the
khan
and
his
army,
lest
they
should
be
annoyed
by
the
mountaineers
in
the
passes
of
Karajagdy,
Emin
having,
the
night
before,
sent
forty
men
to
secure
it.
(The
word
Karajagdy,
in
the
Turkish
language,
signifies
the
first
fall
of
snow.
)
It
is
very
difficult
for
an
army
to
pass
those
mountains.
Abar
was
allowed
to
go
with
the
enemy
back
to
Ganja,
and
he
returned
m
thirty-six
hours
with
a
khalat
from
Shaverdy
Khan,
who
had
charged
him
expressly
to
say
to
his
father,
in
the
khans
name,
"That
English
guest
of
yours
saved
you
and
your
people
from
destruction.
Go,
pray
to
God
first;
then
entertain
him
with
due
respect
and
honour:
he
alone
deserves
the
praise
of
victory
over
my
son:
-
neither
you,
nor
your
men,
must
pretend
to
have
the
least
share
in
it.
But
I
am
assured,
that
you,
giddy-headed
and
ungrateful
Yusup!
will,
through
the
envy
and
jealousy
of
your
bad
heart,
soon
send
him
away
from
your
station,
and
then
we
shall
again
try
how
you
will
conduct
yourself
a
second
time.
While
he
remains
there,
you
may
drink
wine,
and
sleep
in
peace:
but
woe
be
to
you
when
he
shall
depart!"
Yusup,
hearing
all
this
from
his
son,
was
convinced,
that
Shaverdy
Khan
would
not
easily
forgive
him,
nor
spare
a
grain
of
corn
in
Shameor;
so
that
he
stood
a
chance
of
losing
his
life
by
halting
at
Gedashen.
Necessity
therefore
obliged
him
to
follow
Emins
just
counsel;
and
he
tarried
at
Gedashen
no
longer
than
twenty-four
hours
after
that
menacing
or
prophesying
message
from
the
khan:
he
then
issued
a
proclamation,
in
the
afternoon,
for
the
tribe
to
move
from
that
place;
and
in
a
day
and
a
half
they
arrived
safe
over
the
snow,
at
their
own
habitation,
called
the
country
of
Kreshetzy,
with
a
citadel
named
Gulstan,
on
a
high
mountain.
They
only
lost
a
poor
old
woman
by
the
severity
of
the
cold.
Ibrahim
Khan,
the
sovereign
of
Carabagh,
or
head
of
the
five
Armenian
chiefs,
provided
them
with
all
sorts
of
provision
for
nine
months,
till
the
new
crop
of
the
tribe
was
ripe.
They
had
been
very
diligent
in
the
autumn,
and
came
thirty
leagues
from
Shameor
to
sow
every
inch
of
their
land;
and
they
calculated,
that
when
the
corn
should
be
gathered
in,
it
would
suffice
for
five
years
without
tilling
the
ground.
No
country
in
all
Armenia,
Georgia,
or
Persia,
is
so
fertile
as
that
of
Carabagh,
where
one
pound
of
seed
produces
100
of
grain.
A
stute
load
of
wheat
was
sold
for
five
abasis,
or
English
shillings.
It
is
the
properest
country
to
carry
on
war
in,
and
to
maintain
liberty
with
ease.
They
have
another
valuable
advantage
over
others,
that
the
corn
continues
good
for
ten
years,
and
remains
as
fresh
as
the
new
grain;
whereas
others,
particularly
in
Georgia,
hardly
continues
sound
for
the
space
of
eighteen
months,
growing
both
bitter
and
full
of
insects.
As
for
all
sorts
of
fruits,
they
are
in
abundance;
and
silk,
cotton,
and
wool,
in
great
plenty.
In
other
places,
the
fuel
is
chiefly
the
dung
of
cows,
sheep,
or
horses;
but
in
Carabagh,
it
is
wood,
for
there
is
no
village
without
a
forest
near
it.
In
other
parts,
ewes
have
lambs
once
in
the
year;
at
Carabagh,
twice
-
in
the
spring,
and
at
the
beginning
of
January.
In
short,
they
have
all
things
in
the
world
but
one,
which
is
the
queen
of
all
-
prudent
management;
which
seems
to
have
bidden
farewel
to
the
inhabitants
of
Carabagh;
and
one
may
with
good
assurance
say,
to
all
Asia.
NOTE.
The
southwest
portion
of
Karabagh
is
undulating
and
thickly
wooded,
full
of
gardens
and
vineyards.
The
eastern
portion
between
the
rivers
Kur
or
Kura,
and
the
Ierask
or
Araxes,
is
flat.
This
part
was
the
old
province
of
Uthi.
The
western
portion,
which
is
Karabagh
proper,
is
half
of
the
province
of
Artsakh,
towards
Uthi,
and
the
other
half
Siunek,
towards
the
province
of
Haik.
Lynch,
in
his
Travels
through
Armenia,
says,
"Karabagh
may
be
regarded
as
a
separate
geographical
unit,
combining
in
miniature
many
of
the
characteristics
of
the
Armenian
highlands,
an
inner
plateau
flanked
by
peripheral
ranges.
The
immemorial
home
of
Armenian
inhabitants,
the
seat
of
Tartar
immigrants,
and
the
happy
hunting-ground
of
nomad
Kurds,
it
constitutes
a
solid
outer
buttress
to
Armenia
on
the
side
of
the
Caspian.
The
true
boundary
must
be
taken
southward
from
the
Ginal
Dagh,
over
11,
000
ft.
to
the
Kety
Dagh,
where
it
forms
a
loop
towards
the
west,
and
after
almost
encircling
an
upland
sheet
of
water
called
the
Ala
Gol,
is
protracted
through
the
heights
of
Sir-er-sgrchaly
11,
298
ft.
and
Salvarty
10,
422
ft.
to
the
valley
of
the
Araxes
at
Migry,
just
east
of
Ordubad.
The
Karadagh
Mountains
on
the
southern
bank
of
the
river
continue
the
ridges
of
Karabagh,
and
the
natural
frontier
is
pushed
westwards
up
the
course
of
the
Araxes
as
far
as
the
village
of
Julfa. . . . . . .
The
plains
through
which
the
Arpa
chai
(grain
river)
eats
its
way
to
the
Araxes
constituted
one
of
the
granaries
of
Armenia
in
historical
times.
Extraordinary
fertility
is
induced
by
the
intermixture
of
the
lavas
with
alluvial
or
lacustrine
deposits.
The
black
earth
of
the
plain
about
Akhal
kalaki
is
famous,
and
the
soil
in
the
neighbourhood
of
Alexandropol
derives
its
richness
from
the
incidence
of
a
peculiar
kind
of
lava
side
by
side
with
the
sediment
of
a
former
lake.
The
southerly
extension
of
these
vanished
waters
is
marked
by
the
belt
of
high
ground
extending
from
Alagoz
across
the
plains
to
the
Arpa
chai.
The
river
has
forced
its
way
through
this
elevation
between
Ani
and
Magapat.
"
