CHAPTER XII.
Before resuming the narrative of our mission, I shall proceed to lay before my readers a short account of the political condition of the districts around Mosul, in order that they may be the better able to understand the nature of those intrigues and machinations which finally resulted in the massacre of the mountain Nestorians.
The character of Mohammed Pasha, of Mosul, surnamed Injé Beirakdâr, has been pourtrayed in a former chapter; but as this individual acted so important a part in the after affairs of the Nestorians, I shall endeavour to expose more fully the feelings which actuated his conduct towards that unfortunate community. We have already seen by what cruelly vigorous measures he succeeded in establishing his authority, not only over the rebellious inhabitants of Mosul, but also over the predatory Arabs of the desert, and Yezeedees of Sinjâr. After having reduced these tribes to abject submission, his thirst of power and love of gain led him to hanker after an extension of
