The Janizaries, the most famous regiment of soldiers in the world, are the
body-guard of the Sultan of Turkey.

Not only are they well-drilled and powerful men, but they fight absolutely
without fear. A Turkish soldier will never run away--he fights till he
conquers or dies. This is due to his religion, which teaches him that what
is to be will be, and that if it is his fate to be killed he will be
killed, whether he runs away or stays in the battle.

So he stays--and does all the harm he can before his fate, whatever it may
be, overtakes him.

It is also his belief that if he is killed in battle his sins are forgiven
him, and he will go straight to Paradise; so he has no fear of the fight,
and makes a very stubborn and dangerous foe.

In the mean while, the Sultan of Turkey has a little business of his own
on hand.

He is very much annoyed at the length of the conference of the Powers
about the reforms he is to be asked to make.

All the dead walls of Constantinople, where the Ambassadors are meeting,
have been covered with placards and posters of a character to enrage the
common people, and make them turn their thoughts to fresh massacres.

It is said on good authority, that the placards come from the Sultan, and
have been posted by his orders.

It is also said that he hopes to provoke the people and cause fresh