Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

176 TRAVELS IN ASIATIC TURKEY,
as nearly as they can, the Spartans, from whom they suppose
themselves descended, and whose fierce and martial air they appear
to have retained. The head is shaved, except on the middle, or
crown, whence a tuft of hair descends, and flows loosely down the
back. Over the head is a red skull-cap, which descends low down
on the forehead. In general their appearance
are
very negligent and in
slovenly
their
persons.
indicates that they
On a long march,
and after a considerable absence from their homes, they are often
exposed to the greatest misery and distress, of which indeed we
were ourselves, on several occasions, witnesses. Amidst the vices
in which they indulge, that of gambling is carried to so great an
excess, that when they have lost at cards the little money they have
in their possession, they frequently stake their fire-arms, and every
other description of property. They are great marauders, plunder-
ing whatever they can lav their hands on; and so unruly and in-
temperate in their passions, which they cannot govern, that they
frequently commit assassinations among one another. They speak
a language peculiar to themselves, said to have been handed down
to them by the ancient lllyrians.
Their arms consist of a pair of pistols worn in a sash, with a long
handjar knife, or dagger, and a musket with a long barrel. Their
pistols and muskets are usually mounted in silver, and much ornamented.
They are without knapsacks, for which, in truth, they
have not the smallest occasion. The mode in which they are train-
ed from their youth renders them excellent marksmen.
In the Turkish cavalry, as well as in the service of the infantry,
the soldier provides himself with the arms the most agreeable to his
fancy. Frequently, however, the horsemen carry pikes and javelins
of different lengths, of which the shorter ones are girted on
and secured to the saddle. Some of these weapons are six feet or
more in length, with an iron point, or ferrule, nearly a foot long,
to the bottom of which is attached a tassel made of feathers, or
hair. Haying, in training up to discipline, made the djerid exer-
cise a principal pursuit and chief amusement, they lance the jave-
lin with great force and dexterity. They likewise carry battle-axes,
and maces, or clubs, with sabres, and, in some cases, carabines,
or rifle-barrel muskets. It seldom happens that bayonets are em-
ployed by the Turkish soldiery; but among the cavalry, two, or
even a greater number of pistols, ornamented with a silver mount-
ing, are placed within the sash, or girdle.