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142 DESTEUCTION OF THE GEEEK EMPIEE the sultan's letter contained the name of Timour in black writing under that of Bajazed which was in gold, was ' The son of Murad is mad ! ' When he read the insulting threat as to his harem, Timour kept himself well in hand, but, turning to the ambassador who had brought the letter, told him that he would have cut off his head and those of the members of his suite if it were not the rule among sovereigns to respect the lives of ambassadors. The repre- sentative of Bajazed was, however, compelled to be present at a review of the whole of his troops and was requested to return to his master and relate what he had seen. Meantime, Bajazed had determined to strike quickly and heavily against Timour and by the rapidity of his movements justified the name of Ilderim. His opponent's forces, however, were hardly less mobile. Timour's huge army marched in twelve days from Sivas to Angora. The officer in command of that city refused to surrender. Timour made his arrangements for the siege in such a manner as to compel or induce Bajazed to occupy a position where he would have to fight at a disadvantage. He undermined the walls and diverted the small stream which supplied it with water. Hardly had these works been commenced before he learned that Ilderim was within nine miles of the city. Timour raised the siege and transferred his camp to the opposite side of the stream, which thus protected one side of his army while a ditch and a strong palisade guarded the other. Then in an exceptionally strong position he waited to be attacked. Disaffection existed in Bajazed's army, occasioned by his parsimony, and possibly nursed by emissaries from Timour. Bajazed's own licentiousness had been copied by his followers, and discipline among his troops was noted as far less strict than among those of his predecessor. In leading them on what all understood to be the most serious enter- prise which he had undertaken, his generals advised him to spend his reserves of money freely so as to satisfy his followers ; but the capricious and self-willed Ilderim refused. They counselled him, in presence of an army many times