* deep in the earth ere I had heard of his * name. And how can I pay for the goods? "I have nothing left but this mean garb that you fee upon my back: indeed this is fufficient: you have already deprived me of my fight, and of what ufe is life to me?" This he expreffed with that emotion natural to a daring ipirit, but the General cruelly ordered him to be ftruck across the mouth to filence him; which was done with fuch violence, that the blood iffued forth.

Sadoc Aga being removed, Mirza Mahommed was brought with two large logs of wood fitted to the fmall of his legs, and rivetted together; a heavy triangular wooden collar was alfo on his neck, which likewife ferved as a handcuff to his left wrift. Mr. Hanway might now have faid, "How wife you are!" as he faid to him when he faw him last, but he had too much humanity to infult the wretched, and there being no mercy to be found there, he took no notice of his former behaviour; but departed abruptly, having his heart too full of the dreadful objects he had feen. 、

He then vifitéd Mahommed Huffein Khan, the father of him who was the Governor of Aftrabad before the rebellion, and had been charged with the murder of Shah Tahmas, the last lawful Sovereign of Perfia. He received our Author with great politeness, affuring him in the ftrongest terms, that he would not leave the place till his bufinefs was done, agreeably to the Shah's order; and among other things faid, "I am charged with a particular commiffion to VOL. XIV,

X

"fee

"fee the rebels punished: I must do that for "which I know I fhall be damned; the Shah " will have it fo. Well! to morrow is a day " of blood, and I will make them pay you, "tho' I pull the money out of their throats." Mr. Hanway had too much humanity to thank him for his bloody intention; for though these unhappy rebels had acted as if they meant to devote themselves to ruin, yet an oppofition to fuch execrable tyranny, wanted only more force and wisdom to give it the ftamp of glory: nor could our Author behold without horror, a man whom a blind obedience to his Prince, could induce to shake hands with everlasting perdition.

The next day in the evening eight Turkuman Tartars being taken in the road, were brought to the city, upon which the General expreffed great fatisfaction, obferving that many niches in his pyramid were yet unfilled; one of them being called Sais, and the other having the name Mahommed Huffein Khan. The execution of a malefactor in Perfia is performed with little ceremony, he is taken to a field or open place near the refidence of the military Judge, and the executioner caufing him to kneel, he pronounces his creed, "There is but one God, "Mahommed is his Prophet, and Ali his friend :” his head is then taken off with the motion of a fabre, with a thrusting cut, which in drawing back compleats the operation.

CHAP.

*****************

CHAP.

XI.

The Difficulties Mr. Hanway meets with_in_recovering bis Money and Effects. A Defcription of the Perfian Paper and Ink; of the everlasting Fire of the Gebers near the City of Baku, and of the Springs of Naptha, also near the Cafpian Sea.

M

R. Hanway now vifited his good friend Nazeer Aga, who had received a reward from the Shah for the fervices he had done during the rebellion. The old man expreffed a high fatisfaction at feeing him after the great dangers to which they had both been expofed. A few days after Nazeer Aga informed Mr. Hanaway by letter, of the arrival of Captain Woodroofe in Aftrabad bay, and as the Turkumans and Ogurtjoys were in arms against the Perfians, and poffeffed of a great number of boats, he thought it unfafe for the fhip to be in the road.

In an

fwer to this letter our Author thanked him for his advice, and told him that he did not fear those barbarians; for if they should come in numbers like a fwarm of bees, they would meet their deftruction from the great guns. This was proper language for him to talk where the Turkumans had their spies, and were it not for the terror of Captain Woodroofe's four threepounders, the fum he was preparing to fend

on board might have induced them to attack the fhip at anchor, and as fome of these boats had twelve or fifteeen hands well armed, they might have found it difficult to defend the fhip: however, they had provided clofe quarters and powder chefts; fo that they could not have taken it without a manner of fighting to which they were entire ftrangers.

On the 21ft, Myrza Mabommed delivered to Mr. Hanway the greatest part of his baggage, of which he had been fo careful, as to conceal it in a well, by which it received fome damage, and alfo paid him as much of the money that was in his hands, as he faid was in his power; though it was evident that if the rebellion had fucceeded,, he would have deprived him of the whole; but he hoped that Mr. Hanway would intercede in his favour, The next morning that gentleman went to the two Khans who were together, and had juft condemned, and ordered for execution, 21 perfons, and informed them that Myrza had delivered his baggage, and that he hoped he would receive the King's mercy. Mabommed Huffein Khan, afked if he defired he fhould be faved to this he answered in the affirmative, and that he fhould confider mercy fhewn to Myrza, as a particular mark of favour. To which the other replied, "For your fake then "he fhall be faved: his Majesty has fhewn you

great honour, and it is my business to do "the fame." Mr. Hanway having returned his thanks, and Myrza being fent for was informed

formed that for Mr. Hanway's fake he was pardoned, and immediately his collar and log were cut off.

Our Author had before received in fingle pieces and cuts of cloth, to the amount of 1600 crowns. A much greater value had been found in the city; but the General converted it to his own use. Some time after he received 3000 crowns more, and was defired to take a part of the payment in female flaves, which he abfolutely refufed. At the fame time the General being informed that our Author was only thirty two years of age, expreffed great aftonishment at his hoary locks, till he was told that what he took for his hair was only a wig.

On the 5th of June, Mr. Hanway preffing Mahommed Huffein Khan, and the General for the payment of the reft of his money, the former wanted him to take his obligation for it, payable in ten or fifteen days, and the General being obliged to march, cried, "I can"not go from hence ithout the receipt; the

King will demand it of me, and if you do "not give it me, I will kill men till I get "the money" but Mr. Hanway answered, "I hope no man will die on my account; "but I cannot answer it to the merchants my "principals, to give a receipt for the money "in exchange for any obligation whatsoever."

Some days after Mr. Hanway went to Kourdiemalla, guarded by five horse and ten foot foldiers, carrying with him feven bales of cloth, X 3

and