47 possessions and riches found in them to the people who went with him on these raids. In this he took nothing for himself. Seeing his affairs getting off to such a good start, he decided to adopt an ensign. He ordered that a large number of red hoods be made from scarlet and ordered that all those who were with him should wear one. This was the way a large number of people took up with him. Soon they started taking large towns and waging many wars. Despite all this he does not wish to be called king, nor rest in one kingdom, and everything he takes in battle he distributes amongst those who had helped him win it. When he comes across such people who are not making use of their wealth, nor helping anyone with it, he takes it and shares it in equal parts amongst some respectable men in his army who he notices are poor. And he gives the same share to the owner of the property as he does to each of the others. This is why the Moors call him “Equaliser”, but his real name is Sheik Ismael. He has the custom of sending ambassadors to all the Muslim kings, ordering them to wear the red hoods which he took as ensign, and if they refuse to wear them, the ambassadors must challenge them. They then inform them that they will seek them out and take their lands and make them believe in him. He thus sent an embassy to the Great Sultan and the Great Turk. Having had a council on the matter, answered him very unfavourably through their embassies. They decided to defend themselves from him and to help each other. When Sheik Ismael received their answers, he then decided to attack the Turk straightaway with a lot of infantry and cavalry. Thus he sought him. The latter came out to meet him well-armed and they engaged into a huge battle. This the Turk won by virtue of his plentiful artillery, of which the Sheik had none whatsoever. His men fight only with their physical strength. Many of his men were killed and the Sheikfled. The Turk chased him, killing many people along the way, until he drove the
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