University of Virginia Library

Chapter IV.

[_]

8

The Siege of Olumpagh;

[_]

9

An excellent Stratagem

[_]

1

by Smith; Another not much worse.

AFTER the losse of Caniza,

the Turkes with twentie thousand besieged
the strong Towne of Olumpagh so straightly, as they were
cut off from all intelligence and hope of succour; till John Smith, this
English Gentleman, acquainted Baron Kisell, Generall of the Arch-dukes
Artillery, he had taught the Governour, his worthy friend,
such a Rule, that he would undertake to make him know any thing
he intended, and have his answer, would they bring him but to some
place where he might make the flame of a Torch seene to the Towne;
Kisell inflamed with this strange invention; Smith made it so plaine,
that forthwith hee gave him guides, who in the darke night brought
him to a mountaine, where he shewed three Torches equidistant
from other, which plainly appearing to the Towne, the Governour
presently apprehended, and answered againe with three other fires
in like manner; each knowing the others being and intent; Smith,
though distant seven miles, signified to him these words: On Thursday
at night I will charge on the East, at the ∥ Alarum, salley you;
Ebersbaught answered he would, and thus it was done: First he writ
his message as briefe, you see, as could be, then divided the Alphabet
in two parts thus;

• A. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l.
• 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.
• m. n. o. p. q. r. s. t. v. w. x. y. z.
• 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2.

The first part from A. to L. is signified by shewing and hiding
one linke, so oft as there is letters from A. to that letter you meane;
the other part from M. to Z. is mentioned by two lights in like manner.
The end of a word is signified by shewing of three lights, ever
staying your light at that letter you meane, till the other may write
it in a paper, and answer by his signall, which is one light, it is done,
beginning to count the letters by the lights, every time from A. to
M. by this meanes also the other returned his answer, whereby each
did understand other. The Guides all this time having well viewed
the Campe, returned to Kisell, who, doubting of his power being but
ten thousand,

was animated by the Guides, how the Turkes were so
divided by the River in two parts, they could not easily second each
other. To which Smith added this conclusion; that two or three
thousand pieces of match fastened to divers small lines of an hundred
fathome in length being armed with powder, might all be fired and
stretched at an instant before the Alarum, upon the Plaine of
Hysnaburg, supported by two staves, at each lines end, in that manner
would seeme like so many Musketteers; which was put in practice;
and being discovered by the Turkes, they prepared to encounter
these false fires, thinking there had beene some great Armie: whilest
Kisell with his ten thousand being entred the Turks quarter, who
ranne up and downe as men amazed. It was not long ereEbersbaught
was pell-mell with them in their Trenches; in which distracted confusion,
a third part of the Turkes, that besieged that side towards
Knousbruck, were slaine; many of the rest drowned, but all fled.
The other part of the Armie was so busied to resist the false fires, that
Kisell before the morning put two thousand good souldiers in the
Towne, and with small losse was retired; the Garrison was well releeved
with that they found in the Turkes quarter, which caused the
Turkes to raise their siege and returne to Caniza: and Kisell with
much honour was received at Kerment, and occasioned the Author
a good reward and preferment, to be Captaine of two hundred and
fiftie Horse-men, under the Conduct of Colonell Voldo, Earle of
Meldritch.