The First Seven Sultans of the Ottoman Dynasty [pp. 42-64]

OF THE OTTOMAN DYNASTY.
chaplets of flowers, hoping to propitiate the conqueror and claim
his protection. The sight of so much innocence and beauty
onlv aroused the tiger's thirst. "What means this bleating?"
said he, "Ride them down!" and his obedient squadrons swept
over them, and trod their palpitating forms into the dust.
Yilderim knew well that he had now a mightier foe than
Sigismond to deal with, and that his empire and his dynasty
were at stake. He showed, however, no signs of fear. He resolved to meet the coming shock with a force that should roll it
back in confusion and blood. He withdrew all his veteran troops
and best commanders from his European possessions, uncovering his entire European frontier.
He called his five sons, Suleiman, MIousa, Mohammed, Isa
and Mioustapha, all tried and valiant comumanders, worthy of the
race of Osman, to avenge with him their brother's shameful and
cruel death. He called from Europe his Grandl Vizier, Aali Pasha,
with ten thousand Janizaries, who had decided many a bloody
day.
The Begler Bey Timnourtash, and his son, Yakhshl6d Bey, his
chief Eunuch, Ali Bey, and his grand chamberlain, Ferouz Bey,
were all chosen men upon whom he could rely in danger, and
who were as cool and steady in battle as in council. He had
also a large atnd valuable body of auxiliary Servians, under the
command of their tried and valiant leaders Lazar and Etienne.
Of more doubtful loyalty were the chiefs of Asiatic Provinces,
the Seljoukian princes and Tartars, of whom he had a large
number, hitherto faithful against Christians. Would they be
equally so against their own race? Bajazid looked with the utmost confidence upon his army, 120,000 strong, all veteran
troops, under experienced and able commandclers, and hle could
wield the whole as easily as his own scimitar. With it he was
confident of cutting to pieces Tinmour's unwieldy force of 800,000
men. But Bajazidcl was destined to make the most unaccountable mistakiies, the most inexplicable blunders, as the terrible
contest confronted him close at hand. He had amassed vast
treasures in Broosa, but his army had not been paid. His
elder sons, his Grand Vizier, Aali Pasha, and Timourtash, fell at
his feet and begged him to pour out his treasures upon the
army, and send every officer and man into the contest under the
enthusiasm of gratitude. And especially as the Seljouk chiefs,
4
1874.]
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