The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-05-12

dmdSSeu idE Sc iOEtuue Wy tldut. anu
being a shrewd, clever man he liber-
ally feed an influential pasha, from
whom he received in return intelli-
gence of State matters. In this way
the unfortunate Battista learned in
advance of the Porte's alleged griev-
ance against the Venetians, and cor
rectly estimating the incident he closed
his affairs here with as much secrecy
and despatch as he could. and. accom-
panied by his wife and his two sons.
embarked one night aboard vessel
he had purchased, taking with him
an immense treasure Of money and
jewels. But bis fight was noticed
almost at once. and his means Of in
formation ascertained. His friend, the
pasha, was bowstrung. Battista's ship
oyertaken and sunk with all aboard
before it had got out OF the Bosphorus.
and the treasure brought back and
placed in the imperial treasury, where
1t now is"
This horrible narrative dumbfounded
dominions CT the Grand Turk as soon
as conveniently might he. Apprehend-
ing that l should experience some
difficulty in reaching Venice (for l
designed to return to that city,, I ques-
toned Sir Thomas Roe as to the de-
gree of safety enjoyed by Englishmen
in Turkey. and in particular desired
him to tell me how it came about that
his representations were more regard
ed than the representations made by
ambassadors from other countries,
which appeared very plainly the case.
"The Turks" said Sir Thomas Roe,
have respected England since 1888.
In 1857 England humiliated herself
by asking these people to aid her in
repelling invasion. The Turk, who is
nothing if not selfish. of course re-
fused. and Elizabeth's ENJOYS succeed
ed only in impressing the Porte with
an idea of England's impotency. But
when in 1888 England single-handed
scattered and destroyed the whole
might of Spain. it was noted here, as
indeed it was throughout the world,
that the islanders OF Northern Europe
are not only keen in trade. but quick
to avenge and formidable in fight. ac-
customed withal to speak the truth
and stand for Their rights against
whatever odds. Your Turk. say,
noted these things. and the benefit to
Englishmen has been that to this day
their ships ride in the Bosphorus as
securely as in their own narrow seas.
That 1t is not so with the ships Of
weaker States you yourself can wit
ness"
For many days I continued to reside
in the house of Sir Thomas Roe, not
going abroad further than the bound
aries of the garden which encompassed
it. My host was delightful compan-
ion. as full of information as an egg is
of meat. yet withal singularly modest
in his manner Of imparting 1t. by
his advice I not only delayed my de-
parture for Venice. but refrained from
walking about the city. and l was the
more content TO follow his counsel
when l considered the pain which in
telligencc Of the ill-fated Orio Malipie.
tro and her passengers would infiict
on Signor Smona. and so l rested my
self. filling my mind from the rich
stores of knowledge possessed by my
host. and making under his able guild
ance rapid progress toward mastery
Of the Turkish tongue.
But the time soon came when l
could no longer suppress my desire TO
explore the streets Of Constantinople,
and observe the manners and customs
of the people, and intimated as much
10 nv host in the choicest Turkish
could command. My host no further
opposed my desire. but merely auvised
me TO adopt the dress OF Turk. and
never to stir abroad unless accompa
MED by at least two stout slaves;
suggestions which / very willingly
adopted. though at first / found the
loose flowing garments Of the Otto
mans excessively inconvenient. ana
could not then have believed that
should for twenty-eight years clothe
myself in no other way.
The health of Sir Thomas Roe was
not robust. and it was always his Gus,
tom after a spell Of sickness to talk OF
his return to England, a change when
he contemplated with pleasure. He
had no regular assistance in the du-
ties of his Office. which at times
pressed heavily unon him. 50 that
when volunteered to assist in the
preparation ie his dispatches to King
lanes my offer was gratefully ac'
cepted. And thus the winter OF 1917
passed away. the spring Of 1873 ad-
yanced and still my daily life remained
unaltered, but l had meanwhile ac-
ouired the language of the Turks, and
that, too, with little trouble, for It pre-
SENS but few difficulties to an earnest
student. In June. 1923. intelligence
reached Sir Thomas Roe, in answer 70
INQUIRIES which he had instituted at
nv instication. that Signor Pietro 81