silver, gilt, and embroidered with precious stones and pearls. These were mounted and ridden in procession by those gentlemen of equestrian rank who were accompanying the ambassador to Constantinople. After them walked the servants, two and two, bearing presents for the sangiak. Next came four boys of equestrian rank, who carried weapons before my lord the ambassador. The first bore a sabre overlaid with silver and gilt, with its scabbard set with pearls and precious stones; the second, a buzygan or mace,[1] overlaid with silver and gilt, and set with precious stones; the third, a Hungarian battle-axe, with its handle also set with precious stones; and the fourth carried a Hungarian morgenstern,[2] splendidly ornamented with precious stones, and gilt all over. After these rode the ambassador on a very beautiful Turkish horse, white as snow,[3] followed by his steward or major-domo.
After riding for some time we came in sight of the sangiak’s abode, which was a common unpretending house. On arriving the ambassador went immediately upstairs, and we followed him. There the sangiak gave audience to the ambassador, and bade him sit down on a chair opposite himself. Round the sangiak stood his principal councillors and warriors, and we posted ourselves behind the ambassador. When the ambassador delivered his Imperial Majesty’s letter to the sangiak, the latter received it with due reverence and resumed his seat. The ambassador then delivered
