XXIV.
[How
Ganja
came
under
Heraclius
through
the
death
of
Shaverdy
Khan,
his
rival,
at
the
hands
of
a
young
Armenian
repentant
apostate
-
Battle
between
Lezguis
and
Georgians
-
Michael
the
centurion,
an
Armenian
captive
from
infancy,
commanding
the
Lezguis
Heraclius,
treachery
again
-
Emin
ordered
to
charge
alone
-
Both
sides
aiming
at
him
-
His
miraculous
escape
-
Michaels
glorious
death
-
Lezguis
entrenched
fighting
desperately
but
outnumbered
-
A
captive
Armenian
boy
-
Emins
rebuke
to
Heraclius
for
his
betrayal
of
the
Lezguis
-
Movses
goes
to
Tiffliz
-
Heraclius
for
the
second
time
drives
Emin
out
-
Narrow
escape
from
drowning
-
Dangerous
roads
infested
by
robbers.
]
It
was
then
the
beginning
of
autumn;
and,
in
the
latter
end
of
December,
Shaverdy
Khan
of
Ganja
began
again
his
undermining
politics,
writing
letters
to
the
Lazguis
for
troops
to
reduce
the
great
tribe
of
Shamsadin,
who
had
put
themselves
under
the
princes
protection;
but
Heraclius,
fearing
some
ill
consequence,
sent
five
hundred
Georgian
horse
to
Ganja,
in
order
to
keep
the
khan
quiet.
He,
not
minding
them
much,
laid
a
scheme,
on
the
arrival
of
the
Lazguis,
to
put
them
all
to
the
sword
in
cold
blood.
Since
the
Shamsadin
tribe,
like
others,
was
divided
into
two
parties,
one
for
the
prince,
and
the
other
for
the
khan,
one
party
would
have
joined
to
put
the
design
into
execution;
but,
luckily
for
the
Georgians,
a
young
Armenian
mountaineer,
a
new
apostate
to
the
Mohamedan
faith,
had
been
a
few
days
before
made
a
servant
to
Shaverdy;
who
being
in
bed
and
asleep,
the
young
man,
not
contented
with
his
new
religion,
took
the
gun
hanging
in
the
same
room,
and
shot
the
khan
to
death,
which
ended
all
the
mischief,
and
saved
the
lives
of
many
thousands.
The
young
man
was
put
to
the
sword
by
the
khans
son,
called
Agajar
Beg;
and
from
that
time
Ganja
by
degrees
became
a
province
under
Heraclius.
The
young
Armenian,
before
he
was
put
to
death,
being
asked
what
was
his
motive
for
so
doing?
said,
"He
did
it,
that
by
killing
the
khan,
and
leaving
a
good
fame
behind,
he
might
be
killed
himself
afterwards
for
having
renounced
his
own
divine
religion.
"
It
may
not
be
improper
to
recapitulate
here
three
remarkable
circumstances
in
regard
to
the
Armenian
nation,
which
were
of
service
to
Heraclius.
The
first
was,
David
his
subject,
discovering
the
horrid
conspiracy
of
thirty-two
Georgian
noblemen,
headed
by
Heracliuss
own
uncle
by
his
mothers
side,
Prince
Pala:
the
second,
that
Emin,
when
commanding
the
Lazguis,
discomposed
Shaverdy
Khans
government,
by
freeing
the
Colan
Curd
tribe
mentioned
before:
the
third,
that
the
young
mountaineer
put
an
end
to
the
khans
life,
when
he
was
near
recovering
his
dominions
from
disorder,
and
preparing
to
overset
the
princes
power,
who
being
just
on
the
brink
of
downfal,
was
fortunately
saved
from
one
of
his
greatest
rivals.
The
Armenian
merchants
or
tradesmen
of
Tiffliz
have
served
the
prince
and
his
family,
on
all
occasions,
with
troops,
money,
quarters,
provisions,
and
forage,
for
forty
years
last
past,
most
truly
and
affectionately;
yet
the
prince
was
never
mindful
of
them,
nor
shewed
them
any
regard.
Emin
cannot
in
conscience
blame
the
poor
prince
on
that
head;
he
is
rather
to
be
pitied;
since
the
force
of
his
religion,
and
the
holy
ministers
of
the
sacred
Greek
church,
being
predominant
in
his
mind,
he
was
not
endowed
with
probity
sufficient
to
shake
off
its
spiritual
influence;
not
resembling
those
great-souled
heroes,
who
disdained
partiality,
and
rewarded
merit
wherever
it
was
found.
Such
has
been
the
chief
curse
to
some
Christian
powers,
for
the
vengeance
of
the
Almighty
falling
upon
them,
when
Mahomed
mounted
on
a
camel
from
Arabia
came
to
scourge
them;
and
they
are
treated
with
indignity
by
all
nations.
Emin,
from
day
to
day,
flattered
himself,
through
the
smooth
words
of
the
prince,
that
he
would
assist
him,
by
giving
the
command
of
a
detachment
to
him.
In
this
manner
full
nine
months
passed;
but
Heraclius
could
not
afford
to
bestow
on
him
a
single
abasy,
nor
any
thing
else,
except
half
a
Tabriz
maund,
or
pound,
of
bread,
(little
more
than
three
English
penny
loaves,
)
half
a
maund
of
mutton,
and
half
a
maund
of
weak
wine,
for
the
allowance
of
two
hungry
persons.
Emin
and
his
relation
Mussess,
who
through
necessity
were
thankful
for
being
taught
economy
by
His
Highness.
Emin
did
not
much
mind
it;
having
inured
himself
to
living
by
that
rule
all
his
lifetime.
Poor
Mussess
persevered
as
well
as
he
could;
but
it
must
be
supposed
that
he
suffered
greatly.
This
way
of
victualling
was
on
feast
days;
but
on
fast
days
they
had
no
more
than
half
a
maund
of
bread
and
half
a
maund
of
wine:
for
the
Armenians
feast
six
months
in
the
year,
and
fast
six
months
without
eating
either
fish
or
flesh.
Those
who
can
afford
it,
may
have
all
sorts
of
fruits,
fine
olives,
and
pilau
with
oil;
but
God
help
those
that
are
poor;
they
can
enjoy
nothing.
In
any
part
of
Armenia
they
may
have
plenty
of
fruits,
but
not
at
Tiffliz
where
everything
is
proportionably
dear;
it
being
in
some
sort
a
metropolis.
In
one
of
the
last
battles
against
the
Lazguis,
in
the
depth
of
winter,
they
were
no
more
than
a
hundred
men,
each
having
an
Emeral:
the
Georgians
were
commanded
by
Michael
the
Centurion,
an
Armenian
by
birth,
who
had
been
taken
captive
when
an
infant,
and
brought
up
in
Dagistan.
This
brave
man
happened
to
be
one
of
the
captains
of
the
Lazguis
sent
to
Solomon,
prince
of
Emeral,
as
auxiliary
troops.
He
came
from
Dagistan,
joined
his
troops,
and
defeated
40,
000
Turks
and
Dadians
belonging
to
a
petty
Georgian
prince
of
the
Turks
party,
whose
country
the
Lazguis
ruined
and
took
slaves
for
their
pay,
to
the
number
of
one
hundred,
chiefly
females.
Others,
more
prudent,
staid
where
they
were,
in
Emeral
Georgia,
till
the
melting
of
the
snow,
knowing
that
prince
Heraclius
would
not
keep
his
covenant,
made
when
they
were
invited
by
his
son-in-law
prince
Archil,
brother
to
Prince
Solomon.
But
this
Michael
being
originally
an
Armenian,
and
credulous
by
nature,
trusted
to
prince
Heracliuss
honour,
who
having
intelligence
before
of
his
intention
to
march
through
the
snow
on
the
Plain
of
Samigory
(or
the
Three
Miles,
)
lay
in
his
way
near
a
forest,
half
a
miles
distance
from
the
river
Chabry,
one
the
branches
of
the
Cur.
There
he
remained
a
fortnight,
with
four
thousand
chosen
Georgians,
cavalry
and
infantry.
In
the
afternoon
the
Georgian
centries
brought
word
that
the
Lazguis
were
coming,
upon
which
every
man
mounted
readily,
but
without
any
order,
making
a
confused
effeminate
noise,
with
the
sound
of
a
long
i,
as
far
as
their
breath
could
go.
The
Lazguis
not
apprized
of
the
princes
hostile
intention,
took
it
to
be
a
hunting
party.
Before
they
came
up,
prince
Heracliuss
eshikagesies,
or
aids
du-camp,
said
to
Emin,
"It
is
his
Highnesss
express
command
that
you
go
out
of
his
band
to
charge
the
enemy
before.
"
He
instantly
obeyed,
spurring
and
whipping
his
horse;
but
he
was
hardly
gone
ten
yards,
when
the
Georgians
began
firing
behind
him,
and
the
Lazguis
scarce
fifty
yards
from
him
in
front;
so
that
he
was
between
two
fires,
both
taking
aim
at
him.
The
Lazguis
took
him
to
be
a
Georgian,
and
the
Georgians
were
glad
of
the
opportunity
to
make
an
end
of
a
poor
single
Armenian,
whose
great
faith
was
his
armour
and
shield.
He
called
upon
God,
and
rushed
through
the
enemy
without
being
hurt,
so
that
he
went
round
and
stood
at
some
distance
to
see
the
operation.
While
he
was
between,
those
two
savages
fired
balls
that
flew
close
to
his
ears,
and
killed
fifty
Georgians,
with
some
men
of
note,
and
as
many
of
the
Lazguis.
Being
opposite,
he
then
fell
upon
them
sword
in
hand,
surprizing
them
in
close
quarter;
while
the
Lazguis,
fighting
like
tigers,
laughed
and
spit
in
the
Georgians
faces,
calling
them
treacherous
Caffers,
for
not
keeping
true
to
their
word.
Michael
the
Centurion
signalized
himself
in
a
most
surprizing
manner,
as
he
was
surrounded
by
three
hundred
Georgians
for
his
share,
and
firing
his
piece,
he
killed
one
first,
and
not
having
time
enough
to
load
again,
he
clubbed
it,
and
holding
it
by
the
muzzle,
fell
among
the
Georgians,
and
knocked
down
six
or
seven
of
them.
When
his
firelock
was
broken,
he
drew
his
sword,
and
with
his
dagger
in
his
left
hand,
defended
himself,
fighting
and
calling
Heraclius
by
all
manner
of
bad
names.
The
prince
took
care
to
go
upon
a
high
eminence.
Michael
received
nine
balls
through
his
body
before
he
fell,
pronouncing,
Lallah,
Ilalah,
&c.:
then
he
laid
himself
down
with
as
much
composure
as
if
he
was
going
to
sleep,
and
with
his
right
hand
under
his
head,
looked
as
fresh
as
a
rose.
The
Georgians
behaved
like
savages;
for
when
he
was
dead
and
gone,
some
of
them
came
and
took
his
head
off,
some
his
hands,
some
his
feet,
and
others
ripped
open
his
chest
to
see
his
heart,
which
was
amazingly
large,
and
his
liver
was
as
black
as
jet;
which
puts
me
in
mind
of
an
expression
of
the
sailors
as
a
rebuke
to
a
cowardly
man,
Go
your
way,
you
white-livered
fellow!
The
appellation
signifies
that
a
black
liver
belongs
to
a
brave
man.
When
his
son
was
taken
he
said
that
his
father
was
seventy-two
years
of
age.
Forty
of
the
Lazguis
fought
retreating
composedly
till
they
got
to
the
top
of
an
eminence,
the
ground
being
soft
and
mixed
chiefly
with
saltpetre.
In
five
minutes
they
dug
holes
with
their
daggers
deep
enough
to
entrench
themselves;
in
the
mean
time
the
whole
army
of
Georgians
formed
a
circle
round
them.
The
Lazguis
fought
desperately.
When
any
of
them
had
exhausted
his
ammunition,
he
left
his
post,
drew
his
sword,
or
clubbed
his
firelock
like
Hercules,
came
out
of
the
entrenchment,
rushed
among
the
Georgians,
and
fought
till
he
was
destroyed.
This
continued
till
eleven
oclock
at
night,
when
the
snow
began
to
fall
very
thick,
each
flake
being
as
big
as
an
English
shilling.
Both
sides
were
tired,
partly
by
the
cold,
partly
by
the
fatigue;
those
left
in
the
entrenchment
having
no
more
powder
or
ball,
cried
out,
Barish!
(or
peace,
)
on
condition
that
the
prince
would
grant
quarter,
and
not
molest
them,
to
which
his
Highness
consented;
but
after
they
came
out,
they
were
stripped
stark
naked;
and
after
the
army
had
marched
back
to
the
camp
seventeen
of
them
were
put
to
the
sword,
and
three
only
left,
whom
the
prince
ordered
to
receive
a
Tabriz
maund
of
flour
for
four
or
five
days
journey,
through
snow
half
a
yard
deep,
to
the
foot
of
Dagistan.
Among
them
an
Armenian
boy,
sixteen
years
of
age,
was
taken
prisoner
and
preserved.
Emin
had
the
curiosity
to
ask
him,
"Who
were
those
twenty-four
men
among
the
dead,
and
not
circumcised?"
He
said,
"They
are
Armenians,
brought
from
Armenia
when
children,
and
brought
up
as
Lazguis
in
Dagistan;
for
the
Lazguis
seldom
sell
the
Armenian
boys
to
the
Turks
as
they
do
the
Georgians.
The
Armenian
infants
brought
up
by
the
Lazguis,
turn
out
brave,
and
faithful
to
their
masters;
whereas
the
Georgians
are
not
so,
but
false
and
treacherous.
There
is
no
occasion
to
say
more;
you
have
been
in
Dagistan,
where
you
hardly
saw
a
Georgian
male
slave
made
free,
as
we
emancipate
the
Armenians,
who
live
there
like
princes,
and
when
they
descend
from
Dagistan
into
Georgia
for
plunder,
a
few
of
them
stand
against
thousands
of
Georgians.
You
have
seen
a
proof
of
their
behaviour
to-day,
by
Michael
our
leader;
who,
trusting
to
Heracliuss
false
word,
lost
his
life
bravely.
"
Emin
then
said,
"Why
did
not
those
Lazguis
keep
the
grown
men
and
women
as
well
as
the
children?"
Then
he
said,
"O,
good
Sir,
how
can
you
be
so
ignorant
of
the
world.
The
Armenians
will
never
turn
Mahomedans,
if
they
were
cut
to
pieces;
nor
are
their
women
so
beautiful
as
the
Georgians;
and
in
their
slavery
they
are
most
unhappy;
they
are
therefore
ransomed
by
their
own
countrymen,
and
become
free
again.
"
That
very
night
the
prince
asked
Emin
the
reason
of
his
not
bringing
the
heads
of
two
Lazguis,
which,
as
he
had
been
told,
he
killed
in
the
action.
Emin
swore
by
his
honour
that
it
was
not
true;
and
declared
honestly,
that
he
did
not
even
fire
his
piece
at
them;
when
he
had
an
opportunity,
shewing
the
pan
of
it
to
the
prince,
that
it
was
fresh
and
the
muzzle
not
at
all
dirty.
The
prince
said,
"Why
so,
my
Emin
Aga?"
Emin
said,
"May
it
please
your
Highness,
they
are
my
best
friends.
I
have
been
treated
by
them
like
their
own
eyes,
as
it
is
known
to
all
men;
it
would
be
dastardly
in
any
man
of
the
least
principle,
to
hurt
his
friends
without
provocation;
especially
as
it
is
against
the
law
of
nations,
to
attack
these
brave
men
who
were
called
at
the
desire
of
prince
Solomon
and
your
son-in-law
prince
Archil
his
brother,
and
became
the
chief
instruments
of
rescuing
their
principalities
out
of
the
hands
of
the
cruel
Turks.
"
The
prince,
at
this
reasonable
answer,
hung
his
head,
and
after
casting
his
eyes
five
minutes
on
the
ground,
said
to
him,
"May
God
reward
you
according
to
your
heart!"
The
next
morning
the
prince
marched
with
the
heads
of
the
Lazguis
on
mules
backs.
They
were
skinned
after
his
arrival
at
Tiffliz,
stuffed
with
chopped
straw,
and
sent
to
Akhaltzikhas
Pasha,
to
be
dispatched
by
him
to
Constantinople,
as
a
token
of
friendship
to
the
Sultan,
and
a
proof
of
his
important
victory
over
the
Lazguis.
This
small
piece
of
policy,
though
childish
in
its
kind,
made
as
much
noise
in
those
parts
of
Turkey,
as
any
one
of
the
famous
victories
of
the
late
Frederick
King
of
Prussia
made
in
Europe,
which
is
owing
mostly
to
the
effeminacy
or
ignorance
of
the
sinking
power
of
the
Othomans.
In
the
following
spring,
and
till
the
middle
of
summer,
Emin
staid
in
Georgia,
with
the
same
short
allowance
mentioned
before,
and
even
that
was
gotten
with
great
difficulty;
for
his
poor
relation
Mussess
used
to
go
early
in
the
morning
to
attend
upon
the
princes
nazir,
or
steward,
bending
his
neck
at
his
door
till
three
in
the
afternoon
for
an
order
to
procure
that
paultry
provision.
The
prince,
for
his
recreation
every
year,
as
well
as
to
lie
in
wait
for
Lazgui
inroaders,
at
the
head
of
some
thousand
horse,
went
to
the
town
of
Gory,
with
his
haram,
or
family;
the
first
short
stage
was
about
seven
or
eight
miles,
from
Tiffliz
to
Kheta,
where
their
principal
church
stands,
to
the
west
of
the
river
Cur.
In
the
afternoon
Mussess
appeared
somewhat
fatigued
by
marching
on
foot,
and
seemed
to
be
in
despair;
having
more
sense
than
like
Emin
to
follow
the
prince
in
vain,
without
any
fair
prospect
of
benefit.
Though
naturally
modest,
he
abruptly
asked
Emins
permission
to
go
away;
the
poor
fellow
made
some
trifling
excuses;
that
he
had
forgot
his
linen,
and
left
some
other
necessary
things
behind:
he
wished
therefore
to
go
back
to
Tiffliz
for
them.
Emin
perceiving
his
intention,
made
no
objection.
Thus
he
departed,
and
Emin
being
left
alone,
on
the
next
morning
followed
the
prince
and
reached
the
town
of
Gory.
Five
or
six
days
after,
prince
Ivani
Abasachi,
Heracliuss
brother-in-law,
came
and
spoke
to
Emin
with
a
good-natured
tone
of
voice,
but
with
threatening
words,
from
Heraclius,
to
the
following
effect:
"I
am
commanded
by
his
Highness,
(for
which
I
am
heartily
sorry,
)
to
acquaint
you
with
his
severe
order,
that
you
prepare
immediately
to
go
out
of
his
dominions
which
way
you
chuse;
but
in
case
of
your
delay,
he
will
put
an
end
to
your
life.
"
The
good
man
burst
into
tears
like
a
child,
exclaiming
against
Heraclius
for
his
barbarity;
and
adding,
"The
greatest
part
of
his
subjects
are
Armenians,
trained
up
in
wars
against
the
Lazguis;
he
is
very
suspicious,
and
even
afraid
of
a
revolt
from
them,
the
consequence
of
which
may
be
fatal
to
him;
therefore
I
must
advise
you,
my
dear
Emin,
to
set
out
immediately,
and
save
your
life
from
his
tyranny;
for
he
is
a
man
of
so
bad
a
disposition,
and
so
full
of
envy,
that
he
cannot
bear
to
see
or
hear
of
any
merit.
He
is
ungrateful,
like
the
Persians,
and
false
to
his
very
marrow;
no
doubt
he
will
lose
his
kingdom,
and
all
his
pains
will
prove
vain.
"
Emin
thanked
Abasachi
for
his
friendly
concern,
and
said,
"There
is
no
occasion
for
many
words:
"
then
he
saddled
his
horse
and
set
out
for
Emeral
Georgia,
to
try
what
sort
of
metal
prince
Solomon
was
made
of.
He
asked
some
men
the
way
to
it,
and
had
himself
learned
in
England,
from
maps
lent
him
by
his
friend
Mr.
Edmund
Burke,
that
it
was
to
the
westward
of
Cartuel.
After
marching
about
five
miles
he
reached
the
bank
of
an
unfordable
river,
one
of
the
branches
of
the
Cur,
then
much
swelled
by
the
late
fall
of
rain,
and
the
melting
of
the
snow
in
the
mountains.
Being
at
a
loss
in
what
manner
to
pass,
yet
trusting
in
God,
he
pushed
the
horse
into
the
terrible
current,
which
carried
him
like
lightning
down
the
river,
where
himself,
from
his
waist
to
the
head,
and
only
the
head
of
his
horse,
might
have
been
seen,
like
two
gourds
floating
on
the
surface
of
the
water.
The
only
prayer
he
could
pronounce
to
Providence
was
this,
"O,
my
God;
let
not
prince
Heraclius
rejoice
at
the
death
of
your
sinful
creature!"
He
cannot
recollect
how
many
minutes
had
passed
when
his
poor
beast
touched
the
ground,
and
came
out
of
the
water:
but
when
he
looked
back
at
the
distance
between
the
two
stations,
he
guessed
it
to
be
almost
two
miles.
He
then
glorified
the
Great
Maker
of
all
for
his
narrow
escape
-
and,
an
hour
or
two
before
sun-set,
came
to
the
door
of
a
mud
house
in
a
beautiful
plain,
without
any
other
building
or
village
near
it:
there
he
saw
an
elderly
woman
sitting
down
and
spinning
cotton,
and
not
guessing
her
temper
he
asked
her,
if
she
could
tell
the
way
to
such
a
place?
No
sooner
had
she
heard
him,
than
she
flew
into
a
furious
passion,
scolding
like
a
mad
witch,
ready
to
rush
against
his
face;
but
fortunately
a
sweet
angelic
Georgian
girl,
who
was
standing
by,
interposed,
and
pacified
the
old
dame
with
her
amiable
charming
voice
and
sensible
expostulation,
telling
her
that
she
should
not
behave
so
roughly
to
the
gentleman,
who
was
a
stranger
in
their
country,
and
without
any
companion.
"Do
not
you
see,
"
she
said,
"that
his
cloaths
are
wet?
I
dare
say
he
is
saved
from
being
drowned
in
the
river,
which
an
elephant
could
not
pass
at
this
time
of
the
year:
"
then
turning
her
dear
self
to
Emin,
she
gave
him
an
account
of
the
road
to
Kertzkhilvan,
the
last
frontier
town
of
Cartuel.
The
words
of
her
lovely
mouth
were
these:
"My
dear
stranger
brother,
be
not
uneasy;
let
not
your
good
heart
be
in
the
least
discomposed
at
the
thoughtless
expressions
and
unbecoming
behaviour
of
this
old
woman
-
she
knows
no
better,
else
she
would
not
act
in
such
a
manner.
O,
my
God!
if
you
had
been
drowned,
what
would
have
been
the
condition
of
your
poor
relations
when
they
heard
of
it?
Pray
go
to
your
journeys
end,
for
it
will
be
soon
dark,
lest
you
should
not
find
your
way
easily.
"
Emin
thanked
the
sweet
angel
and
departed;
but,
now
and
then
turning
his
face
back,
he
saw
her
standing
in
the
same
posture
in
which
he
left
her,
till
he
was
out
of
sight.
The
emotion
of
his
mind,
excited
by
the
natural
humanity
of
that
innocent
lovely
creature,
was
not
to
be
wondered
at.
Let
no
brave
man
be
blamed
for
endeavouring
at
the
danger
of
his
single
life,
nor
the
richest
man
at
the
hazard
of
his
fortune,
to
obtain
such
a
woman
as
she
was;
for
she
would
study
to
make
him
pass
his
life
happily,
and
her
agreeable
society,
continuing
always
the
same,
ought
to
be
esteemed
a
singular
felicity,
while
she
would
set
a
commendable
example
for
others
to
follow,
and
would
teach
them
to
be
contented
in
the
short
passage
through
this
visionary
world.
Emin
cannot
with
a
good
conscience
avoid
saying,
that
this
kind
of
happiness,
as
he
has
by
many
observations
found,
exists
among
a
number
of
European
Christian
couples;
but
among
few,
very
few
indeed,
of
the
Asiatics,
whose
usage
towards
the
fair
sex
cannot
be
compared
to
any
thing
but
the
conduct
of
devils:
the
law
allowing
a
plurality
of
wives,
has
been
the
very
cause
of
their
never
enjoying
peace
of
mind,
but
continually
destroying
one
another
ever
since
the
beginning
of
their
empire.
Any
law
or
custom
against
nature,
must
ruin
cities,
depopulate
kingdoms,
and
leave
nothing
behind
but
a
desert,
as
wild
as
if
it
had
never
been
inhabited
by
men.
Emin,
in
this
manner
was
contemplating
on
horse-back
quite
fatigued,
till
two
hours
after
sun-set
he
reached
the
same
river,
over
which
was
made
a
fascine
bridge
woven
with
branches
of
trees,
the
butt
end
of
whose
sticks
was
not
thicker
than
an
inch;
it
was
pretty
strong
and
tough,
but
was
moved
up
and
down
in
the
middle
by
the
wind,
like
a
spring,
and
was
there
no
broader
than
two
feet
and
a
half.
He
was
going
to
pass
it
on
horse-back,
but
the
poor
beast
blowing
with
his
nostrils,
started
back:
-
fortunately
an
Armenian
happened
to
be
on
the
other
side
of
the
river,
just
at
the
end
of
the
bridge,
and
discovering
him
in
the
dark
to
be
Emin,
called
out
to
him
in
a
frightened
tone
of
voice,
"Pray,
Sir,
for
Gods
sake
dismount,
and
lead
the
beast,
for
fear
of
its
falling
in
with
you!"
Emin
did
as
he
was
advised,
went
over
safe,
and
thanked
the
friendly
Armenian
for
giving
him
caution,
otherwise
he
might
have
been
lost.
The
village
town
of
Kertzkhilvan
being
almost
close
to
him
he
was
conducted
by
the
same
young
man
his
deliverer
to
the
church,
where
he
supped,
and
slept
that
night.
As
a
great
part
of
the
inhabitants
were
Armenians,
when
they
knew
what
ill-treatment
he
had
received
from
Heraclius,
they
were
grieved
to
the
heart,
and
were
afraid
to
entertain
him
long
in
their
houses,
though
they
wished
to
enjoy
his
company
some
weeks.
