a poor oppressed people who dwelt on both sides of the Danube, and who, about the year 1594, being weary of the Turkish thraldom, first took 13 of their vessels upon that river; and then drawing together a body of 15,000 men between Buda and Belgrade, twice defeated the pasha of Temefwar with a body of 14,000 Turks. They afterwards took Baczkerek, four miles from Belgrade, and the castle of Ottad; then laying siege to that of Beche, on the Theysia, the old pasha of Temefwar marched to relieve it with 11,000 men; but the Rascians encountering them, flew near 10,000, and took 18 pieces of cannon. The consequence of this victory was the reduction of Werfetza and Lutz. Then, sending to the archduke for aid and gunners, they offered to put themselves and their country under the emperor's protection.