The opportunity soon presented itself.  Having succeeded in ridding himself of some of the Albanian leaders, the Sultan applied himself with vigour to the subjection of those in Bosnia who were adverse to his rule.  In 1830 he sent uniforms to Travnik, which the Vizier immediately donned.  This kindled the spark, and in the beginning of 1831 several thousand insurgents, under the command of Hussein Kapetan, the ’Sonai od Bosna,’ or Dragon of Bosnia, attacked him in his fortress, and made him prisoner.  So great was the abhorrence professed for the adoption of Christian clothing, that the unfortunate Vizier was compelled to perform solemn ablutions and to recite Moslem prayers, in order to purify himself from contamination.  The standard of rebellion was now fairly unfurled, and within a few weeks a force of 25,000 men had collected.  At the same time Mustapha Pacha, with 40,000 Albanians and others, made his appearance on the scene of action.  Without delay an advance was made en potence, and it was confidently anticipated that Stamboul would fall before the insurgent arms.  But the Sultan possessed both a cunning and able lieutenant in the Grand Vizier Redschid.  This functionary contrived to dispense bribes so judiciously among the inferior Albanian chieftains, that they deserted en masse to the Turks, and thus rendered it imperative on Mustapha to take refuge in his fortress at Scutari.  This he did in the anticipation of speedy relief by Hussein Kapetan and the Bosnians, who, despite the dissuasion of the Servian Prince Milosch, had already marched to the rescue.  Hussein’s answer to Milosch, as given by Ranke, is very characteristic of the man:  ‘Take heed to thyself,’ he said; ’thou hast but little food before thee:  I have overturned thy bowl.  I will have nothing to do with a Sultan with whom thou canst intercede for me; I am ready to meet thee, always and anywhere; my sword had smitten before thine was forged.’  More modest and unpresuming was the burden of the song which they are reported to have chanted on the march:—­

    We march, brethren, to the plains of Kossovo,
    Where our forefathers lost their renown and their faith. 
    There it may chance that we also may lose our renown and our faith;
    Or that we shall maintain them, and return as victors to Bosnia.

Animated by principles which would have done credit to a Christian host, these undisciplined Mussulmans easily overcame the Grand Vizier’s army, partly, it must be acknowledged, by the defection of the Albanians, who had previously deserted the cause of Scodra Pacha.  Had they now pushed on, their independence would have been established; but, unfortunately, what the Grand Vizier could not effect by force of arms he brought about by guile.  With great tact and cunning he sent emissaries to Hussein, demanding to know the terms which they required.  These were the permission to remain in statu quo, with the appointment of Hussein