Иностранные известия о восстание Степана Разина   ::   А. Г. Маньков под редакцией

The Cham endeavoured, according to the Persian custom, to amuse him with Civility, promising him Honour and aCalate (Robe of Ceremony) from the King. Stenko was too cunning to be imposed upon, but returned Dissimulation for dissimulation. The Cham having allready 7000 men drawn together from all parts, invited Stenko Razin to dine with him the next day, for which mark of honour he returned him his 500 Hostages again. For the greater Security it was agread upon on both sides, that no body sh[oul]d bring Knives or any arms with them. The next day Stenko Razin ordered 500 men to ty their Sabres upon their Backs and hide them under their Coats, and to be present at the Entertainment standing in a Line: that upon a signal being given, every one should take the sabre from his Neighbour's back and make use of it. It is said, that Stenko in going about for intelligence, had information that the Persians had ordered men of their own to be present at the Entertainment, privately armed after the same manner, which was a good Plea for him that it was not he, who began Hostilities (На полях карандашом написано Perhaps only by way of precaution for their own defence.). He therefore went with his 500 men to the Entertainment: the Cham had pitched his Tent in the Field about two Wersts from Astarabad attended by 700 men who had their Sabres concealed, and left their fire arms near by in a secret place. Stenko had left 500 men more in reserve, who were to observe the Motion of the Persians, and when an advantage offered were to advance against them with their Cannon. Stenko and 11 Persons with him (л. 6), sett themselves down, the rest remained standing in a Line. After they had sate a little while, and according to the custom of the Country viewed the Sweetmeats, the Cham drank Stenkos Health, and desired him to drink the King of Persia's Health, which he did. By this they fell into a familiar discourse. Stenko admired the Cham's Cloathe and fine Sabre, and the Cham admired Stenko's Cloaths which were of Sables of none of the worst sort, as also his Sabre, which Stenko draws out and presents to the Cham to look upon, the Cham, after having viewed it, returns it to Stenko, and draus out his likewise and presents it to Stenko. Stenko admires the fine Arms of the Persians as doing honour to the King whose servants they were. In talking after this manner, he plays with the Sabre and makes the Signal agreed upon to his Captain, who was a Russian Priest, and dressed in his Priestly Habit with an Iron Staff in his hand. The latter having given his Men the Blessing, Stenko begins the Massacre, with the Cham's own Sabre cutting off his Head and of 5 others.