action which might incite the King to give him his liberty as a reward of it and by his order I prevailed with my kind Patron Mahomad that he should be allowed Arms when he came to the Battel assuring him they would not be imployed to the Kings disadvantage We began after a months slow march to approach so near the enemy that our Outguards had often Skirmishes and we found their Army very strongly encampt having a great River on one side and a large Wood covering the other the King setting down about a League from them after a Nights refreshment of his men drew up his whole Army in Battalia and so marcht till we faced the Enemy believing they would lye close within their Intrenchments but Albazin the famous Rebel who commanded them was as forward and earnest to decide all by a Battel as the King could be and before half the Morning was spent both Armys began to draw so near in a large Plain before Albazins Camp that the Archers could no longer be hindred from beginning the fight but receiving that word of command they were impatient for a most bloody and obstinate fight commenced which was not decided without the loss of many thousand lives Albazins Army consisted of much an equal number with the Kings but he had the advantage of at least eight thousand Horse though fewer in Foot The King behaved himself like a wise General and bold Souldier charging where his men were most prest upon but not being seconded by them with a like courage his success not only grew doubtful but the Enemy making a fresh charge with a strong body of Horse he kept in reserve from the beginning of the Battel his Right Wing was forced to give ground having the misfortune to behold his Left in a greater disorder the Main Body only standing obstinately to it being engaged in a close fight where all other Arms but their Swords were grown useless Mahomad fighting near the King I kept as close to my Master who by my Patrons procurement was allowed a Horse and to enter the Battel where his great Actions were for some time obscured in the Croud he fought amongst but upon Albazins fresh Charge when our Horse began to give ground he prest forward to the Front and was got close up to the King when he perceived him surrounded by the Enemies Horse which Albazin led in Person the Kings party made so weak a resistance that he already feared himself a Prisoner to his rebellious Vassal and my Master believing then was his time to dye gloriously or merit his freedom turning about to me said Now Julian believe I fight to cut my self a passage into Italy I fight in hopes of seeing Diana again and am assured of Victory in her Name Ending those words he clapt Spurs to his Horse having a strong Javelin in his Hand and pressing close to the King Sir said he you must still Conquer Heaven cannot be propitious long to a Rebel against a lawful Prince As he uttered these words a Horseman of the Enemy whose Garb made him remarkable had forced a way so near the King with a party which followed him that he was just seizing his Bridle having called to him to yield when my Master clapt in between them and thrust his Launce quite through his body the King having the satisfaction of seeing his Enemy tumble from his Horse dead at his Feet which action struck such a terror to his Foes and gave such new life to our fainting men seeing that blow seconded by two or three more which proved as fatal to those came in his reach that as the one began to take up from their eagerness of Victory and the other rallied again not only making good their ground but prest after their Prince who with my Master by his side began to recover fresh hopes of retrieving the Battel on that part But if the face of Victory seemed to change where we were it was much otherwise in other places for one acquainted the King that his Left Wing was almost totally routed and the main body shrinking under the Enemies force was likely soon to follow the example of their Companions This sad intelligence drove him quite into despair making him cry out what what can we do more but save our selves by flight Conquer Conquer said my Master hast where your presence may reanimate your men and be assured of Victory here The King took his counsel only saying as he drew off Heaven preserve the life of my valiant Slave and I shall not doubt of Victory The King had scarce left us when Albazin angry to find such a stop put to his proceedings as my Master had given them advanced before the rest of his men and coming near my Master Slave said he since thy Courage is so great be honoured in receiving thy death from Albazins hand my Master replied not a word to him but receiving the strong charge of his Launce upon a little Target he had on his left Arm returned him such a thrust with his as had almost thrown him quite out of his Saddle and turning his Horse short upon his Enemies Crupper made him feel the weight of his Scimitar before he had well recovered the shock of his Spear Albazin was a man of extraordinary courage and being quite Transported to meet such opposition from a Slave flew at him with his Scimitar designing his next blow should decide the controversie but being intercepted by my Masters Shield he only received a slight wound in his Arm and requited it with a larger in Albazins Shoulder while the Warriâ—rs were engaged in a single combate all the Souldiers on both sides forbore Fighting to be Spectators of what the Event of it would be each side conjecturing their Fortune to depend on the Success of their Champion and after a sharp Dispute both covered with Blood and raised to the highest transports of Fury by the resistance they met with weary of further delay they closed and grappled one another on Hors-back each striving to pull his Adversary from his Saddle and at once spurring their Horses both came to the Ground together but my Master happily falling uppermost before Albazin could recover himself from the disorder of a Fall with such a weight upon him my Master drawing a short Puniard from his Side stabb'd him to the Heart and Leaping upon his Feet as a Trophy of his Victory he pulled Albazins Green Turbat from his Head and clapped it on his own that Colour being worn by the Rebel as a Note of the Sanctity he pretended to having at first by a Religious Cheat reduced all those who were of his Party from their Loyalty The death of their Leader struck such a damp in the Hearts of our Enemies that those who a little before thought themselves Conquerors after a weak Opposition betook them to their Heels being pursued and slaughtered at Pleasure by our Men who followed the renowned Frederick with a full
Host consuming it in the consideration of what course I should take to know what was become of him whom I could not but hope to be still alive since he had escaped so miraculously from the River I resolved to visit Tunis although I exposed my self to a certain slavery which in a few days I performed having met with an English Ship was bound thither to Trade I embarqued my self and in less than a month after my Masters being carried away I was landed in that considerable City of Affrick It had been my Fathers mischance when young to be taken and kept six years a slave in Tripoli during which time he had perfectly learnt the Arabick Language and for a diversion had taught me so much of it that I could discourse indifferently well in it and it stood me so much in stead that cloathing my self in the Moorish Garb I was credited to be what I pretended my self a Moor of Tetuan taken a slave by the Christians so young that I had almost forgot my own Language and that having by my hard labour got enough to procure my ransom I was landed there in order to return to my own Country So that being lookt on as an absolute Moor I had as much opportunity as I could wish to inquire after my dear Master though a great while without any effect till one day hearing some Slaves talk of their Captivity and inquiring from what part they had been taken one of them told me he was a Mantuan brought over much about the time I knew my Master was lost and examining him more particularly of what other Slaves were taken with him I learnt not without a transport of joy that he came thither in the same Vessel with my Master that by the Moors care of his wounds both during their Voyage and a-shore he had been perfectly recovered and since was bought by the King of Tunis for a vast price Upon this intelligence I was so continually about the Seraglio that at last I discovered my dear Master in a Dress much different to what I was wont to behold him he was pleased to tell me my presence was not a little welcome to him though he lookt shyly on me fearing by my wearing a Turkish Habit I had been turned Renegado till giving him an account of all I had done his goodness but too much acknowledged my love to him For the first time we durst not be too long together lest my Disguise should grow suspected and afterwards when we met our Consultation was how possibly to procure his enlargement from a Master never admitted a ransom for his Slaves so that all our hopes must depend on the Kings being procured to give him to some Courtier who would be willing to see him exchanged for a considerable sum of money During the time we were taken up with these Considerations there happen'd an occasion which I was willing to lay hold of as what might much conduce to my Lords enlargement A Noble man of Tunis called Mahomad Alli having a young Son whom he desired to have instructed in Musick and hearing I had learnt a proficiency in that used in Italy during my Captivity sent for mâ—â— making great offers of requital if I would take upon me the teaching of his Son which I willingly offered and in a few weeks gained the Fathers heart by the improvement his Son had made in the Science I was thought a Master of And being of himself a man more desirous of knowledge than the generality of his Country men are he took a great delight in hearing me relate the Manners and Customs of Christendom so that at last I was grown so much in his favour as to be intrusted with the management of his Affairs and ordering his House in the City when he went to divertise himself at a Seat he had some miles out of Town where he used often to be as I learnt drawn thither by the love of a fair Christian Slave had been presented him and finding his good opinion of me so great that he exprest a willingness to do me any considerable kindness I could beg of him One day when he was much delighted to hear me play on the Harp I told him among the Kings Slaves I had met with a young man whom I knew in Italy and whose Friends had been so particularly kind in conducing to my deliverance from a long Captivity that the only thing I would beseech of him was if possible to get that Slave out of the Kings hands which he might beg for not without hopes of success and give me leave as a grateful requital to him and his Friends to set him at liberty as soon as he heard what I desired of him he blamed my modesty in asking so small a Boon and promised that very day to procure what I sought not doubting to speed in it At the time he went to the Seraglio to procure my Lords liberty I went to acquaint him the good news of a freedom he might soon expect but all our joy was dissipated at Mahomads return who told me that although my request was small yet at that time impossible to be granted for the King having news of a Rebellion in the farthest part of his Dominions which being slighted at first had given the Rebels time to carry all before them so that the King resolving to go in person with an Army against them all his Slaves were appointed for the journey and that he himself being commanded to attend the King in the expedition resolved to intrust the Government and Ordering of his Family to my care until his return If I was grieved at the certain prolongation of my Masters captivity that concern was doubly aggravated at the consideration of being separated from him so long a time as that was like to be if he should ever return I used all the arguments I could to perswade Mahomad I might accompany him but in conclusion it was almost by a forced licence that I went having declared that if he thought me unworthy to be near him where he might be exposed to continual dangers as soon as ever he was departed to the Army I would return to my Native Country and Friends in Tetuan A few days after the King began his journey finding at the Randezvous he had appointed a compleat Army of thirty five thousand men all well appointed besides the usual attendants on a Camp he proceeded with short journeys n t to harrase his men before they came up with the enemy having heard by those he had sent out that they seemed to expect him and it was believed would stand a Battel I should pass over what concerns the Wars of Tunis without troubling your Highness to hear any thing of them but that my dear Master made a considerable character in that War during our march I had all the opportunity I could desire of seeing and discoursing with him his resolutions were to attempt the doing some remarkable
coming from the City Our Guide told us there was no doubt to be made but they were Christians come abroad to scoure the Valley this being just their time of going out and against the consent of us all and before we were aware he called out to them who to our Astonishment answered in Arabick They are Christians Seize them says a Moor that at least I may have something to wreck my Revenge on and saying so they advanced towards us Immediately finding the Danger we had fallen into by the unhappy Spaniards hasty speaking he thought to make some part of amends by telling us that if we could climb to the top of the Rock our little Party would be sufficient to defend it against an Army for some time and that after it was Day the Moors would not venture to stay so near the City we followed his Advice with a Diligence equal to our threatned danger and were ascended to a good height by that time our Enemies were got to that part of it we had quitted But oh Heavens How great was our astonishment when not only by the Voice but Day coming on we knew the chief of our Enemies to be the enraged Hamet who as soon as he discovered who we were and finding us stand in a Posture to defend our selves with our Swords and the loose Stones we had pick'd up on the top of the Rock He called out Yield your selves miserable Slaves said he and hope for the sake of that cruel Beauty you would have robbed me of to have your Lives spared but if you offer at the least resistance expect Death with the utmost aggravation of Torments But all being resolved to defend our Lives to the last he had no other Answer but by the Stones we threw at him wherewith enraged he commanded all his Men to a light who were about forty in number and climb the Rock to take us which they did leaving only enow to hold their Horses those who were most bold to get at us were by the stones we threw soon tumbled down again to their Master my Valiant Lord with the two first Stones went from his hand depriving two of our Enemies of their Lives This strange and unequal Combat lasted above an hour in which time Hamets Men were reduced to half their number but on our side the Eunuch and our Spanish Guide were both slain by the Arrows were shot at us and not one but had received a wound or more When Hamet transported by the resistance we made and at the loss of his Men with those were left he assaulted us a-fresh and when he had not above ten left with him alive gained the height of the Rock My Dear Master with Astolfo by his side did Actions almost past belief till wearied with so long a Dispute and grown faint for want of that Blood had gone from them thorow several wide Passages were made in their Bodies they were just ready to sink under an unequal number of Enemies when Astolfo despairing either of safety or Life retired and left him I had endeavoured from the begining of the combat to appear not less concerned for maintaining our Liberty than the rest had been but at that time weakened by the want of Blood had run from my several wounds I was fallen down unable to give any further Assistance to our almost vanquisht Party having only Life enough left to keep my Eyes open that I might see what would become of my dear Master and I confess when I saw Astolfo had left him alone against all our Enemies I began to doubt with my self whether his quitting the Combat was not an effect of fear till I soon perceived it was despair had drove him before his Death to take a last farwell of his Beloved Roselinda who had remained offering up her Prayers for our safeties from the begining of the Fight He ran to her with as much speed as his weakness would permit and taking her in his Arms I could hear him faintly say farewell my most unfortunate Wife since I cannot live for you at least give me the satisfaction of dying in your Arms to which she answered Oh my Dearest Astolfo be assured I can never quit thy Arms to be forced into those of a barbarous Infidel but since it is the pleasure of Heaven that we must dye let it be in one anothers Arms and let us thus entwined fly together to Eternity I could not hear their last words but saw them haste to the top of the Precipice and embraced very close together threw themselves down to the bottom where they ended their unhappy lives Then casting my eyes towards the place where my Master was fighting I saw him fall dead in the midst of his Enemies which dreadful spectacle took away the remainder of my Spirits and I sunk down with some satisfaction that I should not outlive him But how strangely was I surprized when coming to my self again I was lying in a fair Room with two or three Servants waiting at the Bedside I would gladly have asked where I was admiring to hear they spoke Spanish but did not recover my speech till the end of eight days When I had got strength enough by their care of my wounds to inquire how I came into that place and wherein I deserved to receive kindnesses more than I could hope for among Strangers One of them told me that I was in the Governors House of Antiquera who would let no means be omitted which might conduce to my recovery I exprest my thanks for their care of me with all the acknowledgment I could but being more concern'd for my Master than my own welfare I intreated them to let me know what happy accident had brought me thither and if they could to inform me what was become of those remained in the same condition I was in on the Rock One of those assisted near me was about satisfying my request when he was interrupted by the Governours coming in to make me a Visit and being informed who he was I would have raised my self in the Bed to receive him when he stept to the side of it and hindred me saying I was not in a Condition to use Ceremony and that he had deferred till then coming to see that I might not be disturbed of that Repose was so necessary for me but that being told by the Chyrurgeons I might with safety be discoursed with he was come to give me an account how I fell into his hands and setting down on a Chair by the Bed side he let me know that himself going out with a Party the Morning of our Combate at a good distance from the Rock he saw people on the top of it but believing them some of the Garrison were got up thither to descry if the Country were free from those who almost every Night infested it he kept on his way at an easie pace when one of his Company told him he could discover naked Swords in their