Storia do Mogor 25: CHAPTER III · OF THE TOWN OF BURCA
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 25
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CHAPTER III · OF THE TOWN OF BURCA
25.1
On our arrival at Burca, an ancient town of the Greeks, we were received by an Armenian called Anthoine Cheleby, who acted as governor of the town ; and further seeing that we should have to wait a long time before we could meet with a caravan leaving for Persia, we quitted the town and went to live in the country house of the said Anthoine Cheleby. While our clothes were being carried out, under charge of one of our men called Charles, a Frenchman and a great musician, a couly carrying one tin case disappeared. In this box was our money, also the best and the most valuable of what my master possessed. Great efforts were made to recover the things, but all we could find was the empty box, lying outside the town in the middle of some gardens. In this difficulty Anthoine Cheleby gave us whatever we had need of for the expenses of our journey.
25.2
During the fifty days that we remained in this town, I noticed the antiquity of the buildings, which in early times the Greeks had built in the form of fortresses — the walls, the bridges, the churches now converted by the Turks into mosques. Outside the town you see statues of stone lying on the ground, and these are defiled by the Turks when on their way to the mosques, which is a great affliction to the faithful. The town is a large one, inhabited by Turks, Armenians, and Greeks ; but the Jews are in the greatest numbers, and they are very badly treated. In the middle of the town flows a stream which is used to water the surrounding gardens, and in addition there are several springs of clear water for household use and the seraglios ; all this makes the place very healthy. There are hot baths for cleansing the body in the Turkish and Persian fashion. The men resort to them for their bath at five o'clock in the morning, and leave again at six o'clock. When the men have come out, a horn is sounded as a signal that the baths are vacant, and that the women can attend to take their bath. In attendance are barbers to serve and bathe the men, and also there are girls who perform the same duties for the women.
25.3
While we were in this town it happened that a young man, disguised as a woman, had been admitted to bathe the women; in the end it was discovered that he was a man, and after being well thrashed, he was taken before the criminal court, where he was condemned to death. Seeing the predicament he was in, he begged the court not to have him executed, but that he might be made a eunuch, that he should be forced to work at the baths, attending on the men and the women all his life without any pay. His request was complied with. After our departure we learnt that the said Anthoine Cheleby had been called to the court of the Grand Turk to give an account of his government. But he had foreseen a long time before that he would be thus summoned, and he had secretly transmitted all his wealth to Leghorn. In his house were excellent slaves — Poles, Georgians, Muscovites, and Abyssinians; and good horses in his stable, on which to take to flight at the first rumour. A Turkish horseman arrived from Constantinople to summon him, and entered his house immediately, and said to him with threats that he must come forth at once, that the Grand Signor required his attendance. The sharp-witted Armenian, without showing the least fear or astonishment, advanced towards the soldier, and greeting him with a smiling face and all the signs of amity and affection, desired that he would take some repose. In the morning they would set out together. Then, having taken his hand, he made him sit by his side.
25.4
After a little conversation he ordered several pieces of silk and some jewelled rings to be brought, and told him he had only to choose whatever pleased him. At the same time he directed a serving-boy to carry water to the latrine for ablutions in the Moorish fashion. He then quitted the horseman, and without delay mounted his horse, followed by slaves carrying off all that he had, which was kept ready prepared for this purpose. He took the road to Smyrna, which he reached in twenty-four hours, although usually six days are required. In the harbour was a Dutch vessel, to the captain of which Anthoine Cheleby addressed himself, promising to pay him double what he could gain by remaining anchored, if he would carry him and his men to Leghorn. The captain accepted the proposal, Anthoine Cheleby embarked, and they reached Leghorn. There the captain received in full what had been promised to him by the Armenian. At Leghorn the latter built a bath for his own use, and the perpetuation of his memory among the people. We pursued our route along with the caravan, which was a very large one. In it were several Armenian merchants, who looked after our food, also our horses, mules, and camels. We put up in their tents, where we were very well treated; but this was not done without an object, for the Armenians are very fond of their own interest. After some days we arrived at Tocat (Tokat).