Meeting VII

One day, Muhammed-beg, of the tribe of the Kajar.% came on a visit to Kurroglou, with twelve thousand of his cavalry. They went on, drinking and feasting until Kurroglou’s wine-cellar, as well as his kitchen, were both empty. The butler and the cook came together to announce it to Kurroglou, and said, “thy guests have eaten and drunk everything to the bottom, leaving not as much as the lees and crumbs.”

Kurroglou despatched his guards to scour the roads in. the neighbourhood, and to see whether they could not find some caravan, or some wealthy traveller passing near Chamly-bill. It was soon after reported that an immense caravan had stopped for rest on a meadow belonging to Chamly-bill Its riches and wares were great beyond all measure or number. Kurroglou directed Kyrat to be saddled for him, and, armed cap-a-pie, he set out towards the meadow.

He looked, and saw an immense caravan encamped on his pasture grounds. All appearances denoted that the merchant was a man of wealth. And in a tent pitched for the purpose, two Turks were seen, seated, and playing at backgammon. Kurroglou rode up to them and said, “Salam f” One of the Turks perceived him and said, “Get off thy horse, man!” “No, I will not dismount.” s< What place dost thou come from?” “What! have you not been able as yet to recognise Kurroglou?” “Well, that is quite different. Kurroglou is a great man; we must pay him a haratch for the stay we have made upon his ground.” Kurroglou saw that the merchant intended to get rid of him with a joke; neither did he rise to show him respect when Kurroglou’s name was mentioned. The inference was natural,—that they would not give him a farthing. He rode aside, and aiming with his lance at the Turk, who continued sitting, made his horse rear up. The Turk then said coldly, “Hold back thy arm, Kurroglou!” The point of the lance had already glanced on the Turk’s bosom, but Kurroglou backed his horse and stood still. The Turk said, “Thou shouldst throw a woman’s veil over thy face, it is not fit for men to act thus. I have heard a great deal about thee, but I have seen thee now, and thou dost not deserve thy fame. A brave man gives a timely warning to his enemy; it is a woman’s part to fight without warning, and to kill by stealth. Give me at least time enough to finish my backgammon party, and then to take my weapons and get on my horse. We will then fight a duel. If I should kill thee, and free the world’s collar from thy rapacious grasp, let prayers be said for thy soul. If, on the contrary, thou shouldst succeed in killing me, all the riches and goods thou seest collected in this place shall be thine.”

Kurroglou listened all the time patiently, and acknowledged the justice of all that the Turk had said. He waited, therefore, until the latter should be pleased to arm himself and get on horseback. When this was done, the Turk said, “Kurroglou, thou must begin; thou art at liberty to attack me in any way and with any weapons thou pleasest.”

Kurroglou had seventeen different weapons on him, and he made a many different attacks, but they were all avoided or warded off by the merchant.

The Turk called out and said, “Come nearer, take me by the belt, and see whether thou canst drag me from the horse. I should like to try thy strength.” Kurroglou took hold of the merchant’s belt, and then attempted to drag him down or to shake him, but the Turk kept firm in the saddle, as if he had been stitched to it.

The Turk said, “It is thy turn now; let me show thee my strength and vigour.” He seized Kurroglou’s belt, and shook him so that the latter was on the point of falling down from Kyrat; even one of his feet had already lost the stirrup.

The Turk, as if disdaining to avail himself of this chance, let go Kurroglou’s belt, took off his armour, and dismounting, invited the latter into his tent to be his guest.

Kurroglou obediently got off from Kyrat, creeped into the tent like a rat, and humbly took a seat, He felt so much ashamed that he could hardly draw his breath.

The Turk lowered his head as before, and continued to play at backgammon with his companion. Kurroglou saw that the Turk was a most noble and high-spirited man. Faithful to his habit of telling the brave man in his face that he was brave, and the coward that he was a coward, he tuned his guitar, and sang to the merchant the following air;— Improvisation.—“I have asked his slaves and attendants who he was. They all answered, ‘He is the lord of lords! a warrior-merchant. He possesses more gold than is to be found in Aleppo or Damascus. He is the lion of the jungle. His ghedek is led covered with leopard’s hide.’ He deigns not to throw a glance either on the foe or on the friend. I have pushed my horse against him. I have raised the club over his head. The merchant then shouted and sprang up from his place.”

The Turk smiled, and looked the gambler significantly in the face. Kurroglou said in his heart, “The rascal scoffs at me.” He then sang on:—

Improvisation.—“O my God! thou hast created him without a blemish. He is servant to thee alone; but to all the world besides, he is proud and self-willed. He has gathered heaps of wares, and has sat down. He threw a glance on his companion, and smiled. He has lowered his head, and is playing backgammon.”

The Turk said, “Warrior Kurroglou, for thy poetry I shall pay thee a haratch of five hundred tumans.” Kurroglou, having tried on his own person the strength of the merchant’s fists, was afraid that the latter would not give him a farthing; but as soon as the five hundred tumans were mentioned, his brain regained its former health. He was transported with joy. and improvised thus:—

Improvisation.—“He pulled over his ears a Bektash’s capf. On his shoulders is a cloak of ermine.

I was Kurroglou. 1 sang him an air. The merchant gave me five hundred tumans for a reward.”

At a glance the Turk poured the money before the singer, and having counted five hundred tumans, he said, “Here is my haratch of five hundred tumans for thee. If thou wilt accept my invitation, thank God we shall not be in lack of wine or of kabab. All sorts of eatables are ready. If thou shouldst not come and art willing to depart, thou art the master of thine own choice.” Kurroglou said, “No, I had rather depart if thou deignest to allow me.”

Kurroglou having placed the money in his pocket took his leave of his guest and returned to Chamly-bill. When the banditti saw the money they wished him joy of his victory. Kurroglou said, “-Ho n t insult me, ye bastards. These are not tumans, they are as many drops of my own blood. This man has vanquished, but he would not slay me, and has moreover redeemed my blood with this money.” He ordered his guards to watch for the moment of the merchant’s departure and report it to him. at the court of the Shah Abbas II. This witty and mystical character used to dross him ’ If very whimsically, and worn a cap with a top, or rather a tail, so long that it reached his shoulders. that the first merchant was gone, but that another still richer than the former, had planted his camp on the same meadow. Kurroglou fell into a rage and exclaimed, “Away with ye, fools! The first merchant was a’wise man and would not slay me, but this one may be mad and kill me.” Ayvaz replied, “Why wilt thou not ride, my Lord? We are at the end of the autumn; if snow should encumber the roads to-morrow we shall have no more travellers. Both thy pantry and thy money box are empty. I am afraid we have no means to provide our band with food even for five days.” “Hear me well, Ayvaz, I shall go but under the condition that four of my band should go with me, Demurchy-oglou, Kimchy-oglou, Belly-Ahmed, and Daly-Hassan” Ayvaz said, “My Lord, the whole band is thy property, thou hast but to command and we will all go with thee.” “No, these four will do for me.” He then ordered Kyrat to be saddled for him.

The five brigands then set out together. When they came to the meadow, Kurroglou left his four horsemen in ambush, that they might come to his assistance in cage of need, as soon as he should call.

He then rode alone to the caravan. He perceived that they were all Turks. They were taking rest and playing at backgammon. He then came nearer and saluted them: his salute was returned by them. “What man art thou?” “I am an Aushik.” “Is it true that Kurroglou is an arch-thief? We must have a look at him here.” “Kurroglou possesses all the properties of a demon; he always shows himself unexpectedly, and he must either be amongst you, my lords, or else is sure to be here soon.” “Kurroglou imposes a haratch on all that pass this way. If he should come, he will take his due and depart. As for thee, Aushik, take out thy guitar and play us a tune.”

Kurroglou, without dismounting from his horse, took out the guitar from his pocket, and sang:—

Improvisation.—“Khoja! I came at your call. T found you were enjoying yourselves. I have no more silver or gold left to me. I came to you who are rich and happy.”

One of the merchants that were present looked into Kurroglou’s face and was frightened by his mustachios. He took some money from the heap of money that lay before the players, and filling Kurroglou’s hand with silver, said to him, “Sing no more, that will do.” “Wilt thou hear no more songs? well, I will have no more of them too.” This said, Kurroglou put the silver in his pocket and remained silent. The merchant, who was playing backgammon, grew angry, and inquired, “Why dost thou not sing, Aushik?” “Thy companion will not let me sing.” “Take no notice of him and sing on.” “Do you imagine that a handful of silver you gave me is sufficient pay for me? I am entitled to a more liberal reward.” The merchant said, “Thou hast neither lent us money, nor didst thou sell merchandize to us; as to thy songs, I have already paid thee for them.” He then grew frantic, and ordered Kurroglou to leave the tent. The latter sang the following stanza—

Improvisation.—“My bow is suspended in the town of Cesarea. God will not suffer that my designs should not be fulfilled. I have five hundred warriors clad in scarlet, Khoja! I am glad to see thee.”

The merchant took another handful of money that lay in front of the backgammon-board, and giving it to Kurroglou, said, “Take this and depart hence.” Kurroglou put the money in his pocket. The man who played inquired again, “Why dost thou not sing?” “Thy companion will not allow me.” “He is eating dirt; sing for me alone.” Kurroglou then improvised:—

Improvisation.—“Do not allow thy money and thy goods to be counted. Thou must neither drop them nor throw them about over the field. Take care that Daly-Hassan should not hear of them: Khoja! I am glad to see thee.”

At the mention of Daly-Hassan’s name, the merchant became aware that this was Kurroglou.

He started from his place, fell at Kurroglou’s feet, and kissing them, exclaimed, “The guilt is mine, I am a sinner, have mercy upon me.” In the mean time, the man who had continued to play backgammon, took no notice of what was passing, and urged Kurroglou to sing on, wondering that his companion should kiss the horseman’s stirrup, and feet. “What is the meaning of it? surely this Aushik must be a prophet that so much respect is shown to him.” At last he understood what was the matter, and quitting the tent he began likewise to implore Kurroglou’s mercy. “Warrior, thy haratch is five hundred tumans; we will give thee six hundred tumans provided we see not Daly- Hassan’s face.” Kurroglou then sang:—

Improvisation.—“The cries of man have been raised. Kurroglou’s word can inflict deeper cuts than his sword. You are all of you Kurroglou’s game! Khoja, I am glad to see thee!”

The merchant brought his strong box, and after counting over to Kurroglou six hundred tumans, inquired whether he should like to have more of them. Kurroglou replied, “Oh, no! this is enough,” and rode away.

When he came to the spot where his banditti were lying in ambush, he called them to him. Demurchy-Oglou and Daly-Hassan both asked him for leave to try their luck once more in order to get from the merchants, at least, the price of a few barrels of wine. Kurroglou said, “You know the Arabian proverb, ‘Justice constitutes one-lialf of religion.’ Carry this money to Chamly-bill. 1 shall ride on to settle another affair of mine.”

Kurroglou was loath to confess before his men, that he was continually tormented by the idea of the superiority of the Turk, who had vanquished him. He determined to see the happy antagonist once more. After many inquiries, he was able at last, to ascertain on what day the merchant was to leave Erzroum. He therefore arrived there before him, and stationed himself in a mountain-pass on the other side of the town, through which the road passed. The Turk was riding by himself, having left his caravan behind at a good distance. Kurroglou felt himself transported with fury; he pushed his horse upon the merchant, threw him out of the saddle and cut off the head of the fallen man. He soon began to cool from his rage, and being sorry for what he had done, he sang as follows:—

Improvisation. —"‘Begs, listen to me! On my way from Aleppo, 1 met a merchant. I met a hungry lion in armour of steel. He was riding in his armour, on an Arabian horse. I met an hungry lion I blew like the morning blast; 1 placed myself in ambush upon his road, not far from Erz- 1 This saying is attributed to Aly, son-in-law of Mohammed. roum. I cut off his head in Erzengan. I met a merchant.”

Having stripped him, Kurroglou saw he was not a Turk but an Armenian. He then sang.

Improvisation.—His death has cured me of a thousand griefs. I have accepted it with delight like a nosegay of roses. I stripped the corpse and saw he was an Armenian. Oh! let the mountains be clad in mist, let torrents rush from their tops. Kurroglou may thy arm be withered! I met a merchant.”

He mounted Kyrat again and ordered the whole caravan to turn back and to direct its course towards Chamly-bill. He then conducted it to a secluded spot and had all the bags opened. He put aside the money v and every thing that was most valuable in them for his own use. He gave a dozen mules to the men who accompanied the caravan, and having loaded his spoil upon the remaining mules and camels;.he drove them to Chamly-bill.