urg and before
that they made raids in the vicinity of Csik. But that is not my
affair. That concerns the Saxon magistrate and the general of the
Szeklers. The mouth of his majesty, Ali Pasha, has for a long time
been watering for my province but he is not yet quite sure of the way
to catch me. Lately he had the circuit Lieutenant of the Prince caught
by Tartars and forced him to declare throughout the entire
neighborhood that the people were to pay a new tax, a penny a head.
The poor peasantry were delighted to get off so cheaply and made haste
to pay the tax, without asking me first whether this could be justly
levied. In this way the sly Turk accomplished a twofold purpose; in
the first place he had compelled the people to recognize the tax, and
in the second place he had found out how many taxpayers there were;
then he at once imposed the frightful tax of two Hungarian florins a
head."

The crowd expressed their indignation.

"At once I forbade all further payments. It is true this tax was not a
burden to us, for we are of the nobility, but for that very reason are
we the lords of the peasantry that we may not allow them to be robbed
of their last farthing. Instead of any reply I sent his Turkish
majesty a pig's tail in a box, and if he comes himself to collect the
tax I swear by the God in heaven to receive him in such a way that he
will remember it all his life."

"We will cut him to pieces," threatened the crowd, clashing their
swords and swinging their clubs in the air.

"Now, my faithful followers, go to your tents," said Banfy. "The
master of the kitchen will look out for your entertainment. I will
decide whether there shall be war."

The excited nobility withdrew amid lively expressions of approval and
the clinking of swords. Only a few with requests to make, remained
behind. The Professors from Klausenburg invited their patron to the
public examinations. Banfy promised to come, and offered prizes for
the best pupils. When they had withdrawn he indicated those whom he
would see in turn. In the first place he motioned to him Martin Koncz,
leader of the Unitarians in Klausenburg.

"How can I serve you, worthy sir?"

"I have a complaint to bring before you, gracious lord," replied
Koncz, bowing and scraping. "The city council of Klausenburg has taken
by violence the market booths belonging to the Unitarian church. I beg
you to assist in their recovery."

"I regret, worthy sir, that I cannot help you i