Kara George had saved the country by his glorious battle

Thus, the Turks, with little trouble, regained possession of Kulin’s scimitar. They conducted their prisoners, under an armed escort, through Bosnia, and at length to Constantinople: whence none of them ever returned.

Antonie Bogitsehewitsch was no longer alive, to defend Losnitza, as he had formerly done. Peter Molcr, who had taken his place, did not, it is true, sutler himself to be duped by the bishop’s assurances ; bnt he did not venture to defend the place; and was content to effect his own escape.

In like manner Knes Sima allowed the Turks to advance, without coming to any regular engagement. Kven when they attacked the fortress of liawanj, which was defended by the valiant AVoi  wodes Stojan Tschupitsch, ]\1 iloscli Obrenowitscli, and rota Xenadowitsch  he remained inactive in his camp: paralysed by an unaccountable insensibility : he sent neither ammunition, (of which those chiefs soon felt the want,) nor troops, whose aid they greatly needed: were it only to procure a brief repose after the fatigues to Avhich they had been subjected, and their protracted loss of sleep. For seventeen harassing days, the Woi wodes defended the entrenchment; during which time they affirm that they suffered such privations as had never before been endured in a fortress. At length they abandoned the place to the enemy; who now advanced against Schabaz, where Ivnes Sima was encamped.

The country was now in greater danger than ever. In the year 180G, many considered themselves lost when the Turks had forced their way only from the Drina to Schabaz, without having touched any other districts ; in 1809, the country was thought to be ruined because the enemy had obtained possession of the right bank of the Morawa; but now the Moslems had advanced victorious on both sides, and the Schumadia alone remained free from the invaders. In the first war, Kara George had saved the country by his glorious battle on the Mischar; and, in the second, he had made such excellent arrangements, that the left bank of the Morawa remained unmolested, and in a short time he was able to re conquer the right bank.

Amidst the present difficulties, he was looked for with greater anxiety than ever. An opportunity was now afforded him of establishing his claims to the exercise of sovereign sway over the whole country: he might now have exemplified the uses and privileges of monarchical power. But, from some incomprehensible cause, he neither appeared on the Drina, on the Danube, nor on the Morawa: he remained inactive, with some Momkes; at one time in Topola, at another in the vicinity of Belgrade : nowhere was he seen, and many persons actually believed him to be dead.

The Austrian bank of the Danube

Whilst the Turks were ravaging the neighbour  ing Xahias, all who could effect their escape had fled to Poretsch. Here, under an incompetent Woiwode of Mladen’s appointing, a more able commander, Iladschi Nicola, had, inconsequence of the general danger, obtained the authority.

His exertions, however, proved equally unavailing. He erected a redoubt on the lower point of the island : but the Turks effected a landing between the town and the fort; and as soon as they made their appearance, the people, who had become accustomed to flight, again fled. In vessels and boats  nay, even on planks or by swimming they sought to escape the vengeance of the enemy, and to find safety on the Austrian bank of the Danube. Iladschi Nicola was taken prisoner and beheaded; and the Turks advanced without opposition as far as Smederewo.

These great results on the Danube were followed by others on the Morawa. The Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha, was still less disposed now, than during the campaign of 1810, to lose time at Deligrade, which was bravely defended by AVuiza; he, therefore, left a part of his army behind for the siege of this fortress, and proceeded with the remainder down the right bank of the Mo rawa.

Mladen, who was little of a warrior, and now felt himself far too weak to encounter the large Turkish force, did not even attempt resistance. The Grand Vizier was consequently able to proceed along the river without molestation ; and at Petka he formed a junction with the troops of the Capitan Pacha. The united army took up its position close by the mouths of the Morawa, opposite the Servians, who were on the other side of the river; and the Turks were reinforced by vessels of war : the largest that had ever been seen on the Morawa.

Of the three great divisions of the country, the Servians had now entirely lost the one beyond the Morawa. The second division also, which lay on the further side of the Ivolubara, was also nearly lost. Knes Sima did not offer any resistance to the passage of the Turks over the Drina, though all the YVoiwodes were anxious to give them battle ; and when they encamped before Leschnitza, he made no effort for its defence.

TIilosch of Pozerje had unfortunately been killed two }rcars before, by a robber, whom he was in pursuit of; and he was succeeded by his brother, who, by no means equalled him in talent. To this brother, Leschnitza was now entrusted ; and he was foolish enough to allow himself to be persuaded by the bishop of Swornik, who accompanied the Turkish force, that no harm should occur to him or his people, and he accordingly surrendered.

Thus, the Turks, with little trouble, regained possession of Kulin’s scimitar. They conducted their prisoners, under an armed escort, through Bosnia, and at length to Constantinople: whence none of them ever returned.

Antonie Bogitsehewitsch was no longer alive, to defend Losnitza, as he had formerly done. Peter Molcr, who had taken his place, did not, it is true, sutler himself to be duped by the bishop’s assurances ; bnt he did not venture to defend the place; and was content to effect his own escape.

In like manner Knes Sima allowed the Turks to advance, without coming to any regular engagement. Kven when they attacked the fortress of liawanj, which was defended by the valiant AVoi  wodes Stojan Tschupitsch, ]\1 iloscli Obrenowitscli, and 1’rota Xenadowitsch  he remained inactive in his camp: paralysed by an unaccountable insensibility : he sent neither ammunition, (of which those chiefs soon felt the want,) nor troops, whose aid they greatly needed: were it only to procure a brief repose after the fatigues to Avhich they had been subjected, and their protracted loss of sleep.

For seventeen harassing days, the Woi wodes defended the entrenchment; during which time they affirm that they suffered such privations as had never before been endured in a fortress. At length they abandoned the place to the enemy; who now advanced against Schabaz, where Ivnes Sima was encamped.

The troops in Bersa Palanka

One morning as Yeliko, according to custom, was going his rounds, and just when ordering the repair of a redoubt which had been damaged by the enemy, he was recognised   for the combatants were very near to each other  by a Turkish artilleryman, who aimed at him. The aim was true. Uttering the words   “ Stand firm! His Momkes covered the corpse with hay, and in the evening buried it near the church. In vain they endeavoured to conceal the death of their leader: his absence was too grievously felt.

Kow, for the first time, the Servians became aware how much had depended upon this man. Had the Hcyduc lived to see the arrival of a fresh supply of ammunition, he might long have defended his own position and the whole of this frontier. Had he only escaped with his life, his presence would always have inspired courage and resistance. But now despondency prevailed in Negotin. Whilst Weliko lived no one had dared to speak of flight or surrender; but five days after his death the garrison escaped across a morass and gained the road to Poretsch.

The troops in Bersa Palanka and Great Ostrowa, now also retreated before the advance of the enemy, and took the same road. Schiwko Constantinowitsch   who, through the favour of Mladen, had been elected Woiwode of Kladowo   regardless of the vast efforts which the capture of that place had cost, joined the President of the Magistracy, Jozo   who, like himself, was a townsman   and lied under the protection of the Momkes and Bekjares. Kladowo, consequently, felt the full rage of the enemy; to whose merciless fury it was abandoned: men were impaled; and children, in derision of the rite of baptism, were thrown into boiling water!

Whilst the Turks were ravaging the neighbour  ing Xahias, all who could effect their escape had fled to Poretsch. Here, under an incompetent Woiwode of Mladen’s appointing, a more able commander, Iladschi Nicola, had, inconsequence of the general danger, obtained the authority. His exertions, however, proved equally unavailing.

He erected a redoubt on the lower point of the island : but the Turks effected a landing between the town and the fort; and as soon as they made their appearance, the people, who had become accustomed to flight, again fled. In vessels and boats  nay, even on planks or by swimming they sought to escape the vengeance of the enemy, and to find safety on the Austrian bank of the Danube. Iladschi Nicola was taken prisoner and beheaded; and the Turks advanced without opposition as far as Smederewo.

These great results on the Danube were followed by others on the Morawa. The Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha, was still less disposed now, than during the campaign of 1810, to lose time at Deligrade, which was bravely defended by AVuiza; he, therefore, left a part of his army behind for the siege of this fortress, and proceeded with the remainder down the right bank of the Mo rawa.

Mladen, who was little of a warrior, and now felt himself far too weak to encounter the large Turkish force, did not even attempt resistance. The Grand Vizier was consequently able to proceed along the river without molestation ; and at Petka he formed a junction with the troops of the Capitan Pacha. The united army took up its position close by the mouths of the Morawa, opposite the Servians, who were on the other side of the river; and the Turks were reinforced by vessels of war : the largest that had ever been seen on the Morawa.

The Grand Vizier himself led on a reinforcement

On hearing of this, AVeliko determined to scour the country whilst awaiting the enemy. He drove many thousand head of cattle into his citadel of Xegotin, and ventured as far as the gates of Widdin ; where lie was seen, on his Arabian steed, in the plain before the fortress. Xear Bukowtscha he put to flight the first Turkish troops which appeared on the Timok.

But when the Turks arrived, 18,000 strong, he was obliged to shut himself up in Xegotin. It was then his delight to make sallies, day after day, and night after night; and thus to keep the besiegers constantly in a state of alarm. Compared with the losses which he caused them, his own were trivial: though he lost better soldiers, and each diminution of his numbers could not but be seriously felt. At last both parties were obliged to solicit aid   the Turks, from the Grand Vizier; and AVeliko, from Kara George and the Senate.

The Turks were not long unassisted. Ketschep Aga, the Wallachian Prince Karadschia, and the Grand Vizier himself led on a reinforcement. They made their way under cover of the night, and by mining, nearer and nearer to the fortifications.

They battered down with their cannon one tower of Xegotin after another; and lastly the highest, which was the residence of Weliko himself. Still he lost not his courage ; but went down and lived in the vault. Every thing, of lead or tin, which could be found in the place, he melted into balls; not excepting even spoons and lamps ; and one day, wlicn all metal else was exhausted, lie ordered his men to load their guns with pieces of money instead of bullets, and thus successfully kept off the enemy.

If lie could but have received assistance! On receiving AYeliko’s request for aid, Kara George, whose corps of reserve had never been brought into a state of efficiency, sent to Alladen. But Mladcn’s answer was:   “ He may help himself! If is praise is sung to him, at his table, by ten singers; mine is not: let him then keep his ground   the hero!The Senate   to whom AYeliko had written, in the most severe terms, saying that, “at Christmas he would inquire in what manner the country was governed! ”   at length sent a vessel to him with ammunition : but it arrived too late.

One morning as AYeliko, according to custom, was going his rounds, and just when ordering the repair of a redoubt which had been damaged by the enemy, he was recognised   for the combatants were very near to each other  by a Turkish artilleryman, who aimed at him. The aim was true. Uttering the words   “ Stand firm ! ” [Drshte se /] AAreliko fell to the ground: his body la}^ torn asunder! His Momkes covered the corpse with hay, and in the evening buried it near the church. In vain they endeavoured to conceal the death of their leader: his absence was too grievously felt.

Kow, for the first time, the Servians became aware how much had depended upon this man. Had the Hcyduc lived to see the arrival of a fresh supply of ammunition, he might long have defended his own position and the whole of this frontier. Had he only escaped with his life, his presence would always have inspired courage and resistance. But now despondency prevailed in Negotin. Whilst Weliko lived no one had dared to speak of flight or surrender; but five days after his death the garrison escaped across a morass and gained the road to Poretsch.

The troops in Bersa Palanka and Great Ostrowa, now also retreated before the advance of the enemy, and took the same road. Schiwko Constantinowitsch   who, through the favour of Mladen, had been elected Woiwode of Kladowo   regardless of the vast efforts which the capture of that place had cost, joined the President of the Magistracy, Jozo   who, like himself, was a townsman   and lied under the protection of the Momkes and Bekjares. Kladowo, consequently, felt the full rage of the enemy; to whose merciless fury it was abandoned: men were impaled; and children, in derision of the rite of baptism, were thrown into boiling water!

Thus to keep the besiegers constantly in a state of alarm

Wcliko’s brother, Milutin, was the first to encounter the Turks ; who appeared near Xladowo, and attacked the peasants as they were busily engaged in carrying off their property into the mountains. Milutin dispersed the enemy; but, from inability to pursue them with his horsemen over the mountain paths, he did not succeed in recapturing all the booty and prisoners they had taken.

On hearing of this, AVeliko determined to scour the country whilst awaiting the enemy. He drove many thousand head of cattle into his citadel of Xegotin, and ventured as far as the gates of Widdin ; where lie was seen, on his Arabian steed, in the plain before the fortress. Xear Bukowtscha he put to flight the first Turkish troops which appeared on the Timok.

But when the Turks arrived, 18,000 strong, he was obliged to shut himself up in Xegotin. It was then his delight to make sallies, day after day, and night after night; and thus to keep the besiegers constantly in a state of alarm. Compared with the losses which he caused them, his own were trivial: though he lost better soldiers, and each diminution of his numbers could not but be seriously felt. At last both parties were obliged to solicit aid   the Turks, from the Grand Vizier; and AVeliko, from Kara George and the Senate.

The Turks were not long unassisted. Ketschep Aga, the Wallachian Prince Karadschia, and the Grand Vizier himself led on a reinforcement. They made their way under cover of the night, and by mining, nearer and nearer to the fortifications.

They battered down with their cannon one tower of Xegotin after another; and lastly the highest, which was the residence of Weliko himself. Still he lost not his courage ; but went down and lived in the vault. Every thing, of lead or tin, which could be found in the place, he melted into balls; not excepting even spoons and lamps ; and one day, wlicn all metal else was exhausted, lie ordered his men to load their guns with pieces of money instead of bullets, and thus successfully kept off the enemy.

If lie could but have received assistance! On receiving AYeliko’s request for aid, Kara George, whose corps of reserve had never been brought into a state of efficiency, sent to Alladen. But Mladcn’s answer was:   “ He may help himself! If is praise is sung to him, at his table, by ten singers; mine is not: let him then keep his ground   the hero!The Senate   to whom AYeliko had written, in the most severe terms, saying that, “at Christmas he would inquire in what manner the country was governed! ”   at length sent a vessel to him with ammunition : but it arrived too late.

On the present occasion

He was eager in the pursuit of pleasure; of a lively humour, good natured, and of a frank disposition : a, man might trust his life with him, but not his seeret. He was fond of war, not for the attainment of any specific object, but for its oavii sake. He prayed that Servia might be engaged in war so long as he lived, but that after his death she might enjoy peace. He did not like to command soldiers brought from the plough ; but preferred Momkes, Bckjares, and practised warriors.

He quarrelled with his wife because she refused to treat his Momkes as well as she treated him: “All of them,” he said, “ were his brothers.” No one was better fitted for bold enterprises and hazardous excursions; and he was best pleased when employed in the mountains: for defending the defiles of which he was admirably qualified. On the present occasion, however, lie was not entrusted with a duty of this nature; but was called upon to show, whether his qualifications were such as would enable him to defend fortified places and entrenched positions on the frontier.

Wcliko’s brother, Milutin, was the first to encounter the Turks ; who appeared near Xladowo, and attacked the peasants as they were busily engaged in carrying off their property into the mountains. Milutin dispersed the enemy; but, from inability to pursue them with his horsemen over the mountain paths, he did not succeed in recapturing all the booty and prisoners they had taken.

On hearing of this, AVeliko determined to scour the country whilst awaiting the enemy. He drove many thousand head of cattle into his citadel of Xegotin, and ventured as far as the gates of Widdin ; where lie was seen, on his Arabian steed, in the plain before the fortress. Xear Bukowtscha he put to flight the first Turkish troops which appeared on the Timok.

But when the Turks arrived, 18,000 strong, he was obliged to shut himself up in Xegotin. It was then his delight to make sallies, day after day, and night after night; and thus to keep the besiegers constantly in a state of alarm. Compared with the losses which he caused them, his own were trivial: though he lost better soldiers, and each diminution of his numbers could not but be seriously felt. At last both parties were obliged to solicit aid   the Turks, from the Grand Vizier; and AVeliko, from Kara George and the Senate.

The Turks were desirous of vanquishing

The main differences, however, were these: no Xen ado wit sell now commanded on the Drina, but only the Ivnes Sima; at Deligrade there was no Peter Dobrinjaz, but his adversary, Mladen himself; and the fortifications on the Danube were entrusted to the Heyduc AAreliko, instead of to Milenko.

And it was against AYeliko that the Turks first directed their attack. They had now the advantage, which they had not possessed in former times, of having at their disposal the troops of Widdin; which had hitherto always been governed by a Pacha who sought only his own interest. But above all things the Turks were desirous of vanquishing the Ileyduc, whom the Servians looked upon as their hero.

And such AYeliko deserved to be considered: though only such a one as the country, the times, and the events of the age could produce. AAHien the Bussians   of whom lie thought so highly that he could never believe Napoleon to have advanced so far as Moscow   once told him “not to call himself Ileyduc, which signified a robber,” he replied  “I should be sorry if there were any greater robber than I am.”

And it is true that lie was insatiable in quest of booty: for the sake of a few piastres, he would hazard his life; yet what he obtained he would immediately give away. “ If I possess aught,” lie would say, “any one may share it with me; but If I have not anything, woe be to him who has and does not freely share it with me.”

He was eager in the pursuit of pleasure; of a lively humour, good natured, and of a frank disposition : a, man might trust his life with him, but not his seeret. He was fond of war, not for the attainment of any specific object, but for its oavii sake. He prayed that Servia might be engaged in war so long as he lived, but that after his death she might enjoy peace. He did not like to command soldiers brought from the plough ; but preferred Momkes, Bckjares, and practised warriors.

He quarrelled with his wife because she refused to treat his Momkes as well as she treated him: “All of them,” he said, “ were his brothers.” No one was better fitted for bold enterprises and hazardous excursions; and he was best pleased when employed in the mountains: for defending the defiles of which he was admirably qualified. On the present occasion, however, lie was not entrusted with a duty of this nature; but was called upon to show, whether his qualifications were such as would enable him to defend fortified places and entrenched positions on the frontier.

Wcliko’s brother, Milutin, was the first to encounter the Turks ; who appeared near Xladowo, and attacked the peasants as they were busily engaged in carrying off their property into the mountains. Milutin dispersed the enemy; but, from inability to pursue them with his horsemen over the mountain paths, he did not succeed in recapturing all the booty and prisoners they had taken.

On hearing of this, AVeliko determined to scour the country whilst awaiting the enemy. He drove many thousand head of cattle into his citadel of Xegotin, and ventured as far as the gates of Widdin ; where lie was seen, on his Arabian steed, in the plain before the fortress. Xear Bukowtscha he put to flight the first Turkish troops which appeared on the Timok.

Already drawn him into so many difficulties

Kara George had not become thus powerful without materially changing the constitution of the state    a constitution which had been formed by the natural character of the people. The Gos  podars were very closely connected with their vassals, Buljukbashes, and Woiwodes of minor im portance : they had all grown up in intimate union together. True, the appointment of new Woiwodes, under the influence of the Commander in chief, made the unity of the state more complete; but at the same time, it checked the development of national energy in Separate districts.

And since this local spirit was no longer to be relied upon, they had boldly determined to renounce a system in which the defence of the country depended on the freer co operation of those provincial chiefs.

Kara George’s first idea had been and it would have accorded well with his position at the moment  to destroy the entrenchments on the frontiers, and with his entire force to await the enemy in the mountains of the Schurnadia. He would thus have been able to avail himself of all the advantages which the nature of the country offered, and in his own peculiar territory. But Kara George was persuaded to abandon this intention by Mladen, whose friendship had already drawn him into so many difficulties: and who, it is said, was afraid of losing some property which he possessed near the frontier.

It was accordingly determined, again to oppose the enemy by stationing troops on the three boundaries of the country, which in the former wars had always been defended: on the Drina, on the Morawa, and on the Danube. In Jagodina it, was the intention of Kara George to form a reserve, for the succour of that division which might be in the greatest danger.

This was a somewhat more systematic mode of proceeding than had been resorted to on former occasions ; when Kara George preferred to head the attack himself, and in the ardour of a warlike spirit had flown from one frontier to the other.

The main differences, however, were these: no Xen ado wit sell now commanded on the Drina, but only the Ivnes Sima; at Deligrade there was no Peter Dobrinjaz, but his adversary, Mladen himself; and the fortifications on the Danube were entrusted to the Heyduc AAreliko, instead of to Milenko. ‘/ /l *c

And it was against AYeliko that the Turks first directed their attack. They had now the advantage, which they had not possessed in former times, of having at their disposal the troops of Widdin; which had hitherto always been governed by a Pacha who sought only his own interest. But above all things the Turks were desirous of vanquishing the Ileyduc, whom the Servians looked upon as their hero.

And such AYeliko deserved to be considered: though only such a one as the country, the times, and the events of the age could produce. AAHien the Bussians   of whom lie thought so highly that he could never believe Napoleon to have advanced so far as Moscow   once told him “not to call himself Ileyduc, which signified a robber,” he replied  “I should be sorry if there were any greater robber than 1 am.” And it is true that lie was insatiable in quest of booty: for the sake of a few piastres, he would hazard his life; yet what he obtained he would immediately give away. “ If I possess aught,” lie would say, “any one may share it with me; but If I have not anything, woe be to him who has and does not freely share it with me.”

And what could have appeared more propitious

Praying, and responding with a repeated “ Amen ! T he thus solemnly concluded :   “ May God instil courage into the hearts of the sons of Servia ! May he destroy the power of our enemies, who have come to annihilate the true faith! ”

Upon this, every man made the requisite preparation ; supplied himself with clothing and provisions, took with him some new Opanks, and repaired to the post assigned him for the defence of his country.

It was now to be proved whether Servia would be able to defend herself unassisted: at least until the great conflict in the West should be decided, and attention again be directed towards the East.

And what could have appeared more propitious for Servia than the established monarchical government of Kara George; who was now able to employ the very considerable forces he had obtained for the furtherance of the general welfare.

It is not always, however, that such anticipations are realised.

Kara George had not become thus powerful without materially changing the constitution of the state    a constitution which had been formed by the natural character of the people. The Gos  podars were very closely connected with their vassals, Buljukbashes, and Woiwodes of minor im portance : they had all grown up in intimate union together. True, the appointment of new Woiwodes, under the influence of the Commander in chief, made the unity of the state more complete; but at the same time, it checked the development of national energy in Separate districts.

And since this local spirit was no longer to be relied upon, they had boldly determined to renounce a system in which the defence of the country depended on the freer co operation of those provincial chiefs.

Kara George’s first idea had been and it would have accorded well with his position at the moment   to destroy the entrenchments on the frontiers, and with his entire force to await the enemy in the mountains of the Schurnadia. He would thus have been able to avail himself of all the advantages which the nature of the country offered, and in his own peculiar territory. But Kara George was persuaded to abandon this intention by Mladen, whose friendship had already drawn him into so many difficulties: and who, it is said, was afraid of losing some property which he possessed near the frontier.

It was accordingly determined, again to oppose the enemy by stationing troops on the three boundaries of the country, which in the former wars had always been defended: on the Drina, on the Morawa, and on the Danube. In Jagodina it, was the intention of Kara George to form a reserve, for the succour of that division which might be in the greatest danger.

Kara George had not become

As soon as the enemy’s advance was ascertained, Kara George ordered prayer meetings to be held in all the Kneshines, in the week before the festival of /u ,LC St. Peter and St. Paul.

The proclamation which Kara George had sent to all the Woiwodes, was read in full assembly*, after the monks had repeated their vigils, and had prayed for victory over their enemies. In it he reminds the people of the grounds on which they had risen against the Turks: “ that they had for nine years fought victoriously against them, every man not only for himself, but also for his religion, and for the lives of his children. ‘They had found, loo, a protector; fur by a treaty Avhich lie had made, the Turks had been forbidden to return into the towns and palanks.

To this the Sultan at Constantinople had agreed: but not so the Spahis and Janissaries, the citizens, and other inhabitants AATIO had been driven from the country. The Turks had come, in opposition to the will of their imperial master, to rc conquer Serna; and they had determined to behead every male above the age of seven, to lead the women and children into captivity and make them Maho  matans, and to settle another people in these districts. But,” he proceeded, “ have AVC any good reason to fear them?

Are they not the same enemies whom avc conquered in earlier times, when A\re had no means of resistance but our courage ? XOAV, on the contrary, we count one hundred and fifty cannon in the country; seven fortresses, strongly built of stone; forty entrenchments   before Avhich the Turks have often bled without being able to capture them; and our numbers are doubled by the arrival among us of our brethren of the land. Xo! for ten years AVC can resist them without any foreign aid: but, before the lapse of half a year, AVC shall Avitness the arrival of our ally. Only let the nation rise unanimously, take up arms, and not grudge even their lives in defence of their country and their religion.”

Praying, and responding with a repeated “ Amen ! T he thus solemnly concluded :   “ May God instil courage into the hearts of the sons of Servia ! May he destroy the power of our enemies, who have come to annihilate the true faith! ”

Upon this, every man made the requisite preparation ; supplied himself with clothing and provisions, took with him some new Opanks, and repaired to the post assigned him for the defence of his country.

It was now to be proved whether Servia would be able to defend herself unassisted: at least until the great conflict in the West should be decided, and attention again be directed towards the East.

And what could have appeared more propitious for Servia than the established monarchical government of Kara George; who was now able to employ the very considerable forces he had obtained for the furtherance of the general welfare.

It is not always, however, that such anticipations are realised.

Kara George had not become thus powerful without materially changing the constitution of the state    a constitution which had been formed by the natural character of the people. The Gos  podars were very closely connected with their vassals, Buljukbashes, and Woiwodes of minor im portance : they had all grown up in intimate union together. True, the appointment of new Woiwodes, under the influence of the Commander in chief, made the unity of the state more complete; but at the same time, it checked the development of national energy in Separate districts.

And since this local spirit was no longer to be relied upon, they had boldly determined to renounce a system in which the defence of the country depended on the freer co operation of those provincial chiefs.