Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/298

villages accuse me of partiality to you, and you all know my affection for you." (Cries of "We are your servants; we are your subjects.") "Yet I fear that there are some among you who are not faithful,—some there are even at Asheetha who do as they please, follow what leader they please, and acknowledge no other authority than their own. Tell me, whose subjects are you? Are you under the control of Noorallah Beg of Hakkari, or of Mohammed Pasha of Mosul, or of Bedr Khan Beg of Jezeerah, or of Ziner Beg?" (Cries of "We are your slaves; walk over our necks: we will die for you.") "Some of you, I understand, consort with Ziner Beg; now, are you so blind that you cannot foresee the consequences of such folly? Ziner Beg is a rebel, and it has been intimated to me by Mohammed Pasha that some of you are abetting him. It is the intention of the Pasha to send a strong force against him, and such a charge proved against you would be amply sufficient to justify his proceeding to attack you also. And are you so desirous to see the infidel soldiers among you, that you are doing all in your power to invite them?" (Cries of "God forbid.") "Are we not suffering enough at present from other quarters, that you must needs plunge yourselves into misery irremediable? As it is, while you are at peace with Mohammed Pasha, and on good terms with the Coords of Berwari, you can go and come, cut wood for your fires, gather thorns for your sheep, trade and travel, without fear of molestation; but if it be true that you are abetting Ziner Beg, as I said before, you cannot go a better way to lose those advantages, and to put a yoke upon your necks such as you have not hitherto borne." Here the Patriarch paused, while those present conversed together in an under breath, wondering what would be the finale of their chieftain's address, and evidently at a loss to discover who were the culprits among them. After leaving them a little time to breathe freely, the Patriarch proceeded: "Friends and brethren, if you wish to prove to the Pasha of Mosul and to me that you are faithful, I will advise you what to do. You must assemble a force of 300 strong from this village, and march instantly against Ziner Beg, rout his followers, and if possible capture the chief alive or dead. I understand that he has not many men with him, and your cause and courage are better than his. In thus doing you