In 884 the illustrious Emperor, returning from a journey to Eskenderia, sent the beg of Koja-eili with thirty _brak kadargas_,[11] to take Mota, a castle situated on the sea of Azoph, in the neighbourhood of Kaffa, and which still remained in the possession of the infidels. On a former occasion, Keduk Ahmed Pasha, being pressed with more important affairs, did not attempt to take it; but at this time, as soon as it was blockaded by the noble troops, it was surrendered and evacuated by the infidel its governor.
The island Boosja (Tenedos), near the Straits (of the Dardanelles), being destitute of a fortress, and as the levend[12] were in the habit of taking up their quarters there, a royal order was issued the same year, that a fortress should be erected near the shore of the island, and that those who were willing might reside in the neighbourhood exempt from taxes. The island of Lemnos, also, which they call _Lemni_, was fortified about the same time.
The Moslems who resided in the island of Rhodes being much molested by the infidels, the chief commander, Vezier Messih Pasha, was in the year 885 ordered to proceed thither with three thousand janissaries and four thousand Azabs. Besides the vessels from Constantinople, sixty others had been built at Gallipoli. With these they set sail, and arrived at the island of Rhodes. They blockaded the castle both by sea and land, but first attacked the tower on the west towards the water, because from this tower the troops had been much annoyed. They made a bridge from the water, so as to reach the tower; but during a fierce attack upon the latter, the bridge, owing to the immense crowd, gave way, and upwards of a thousand men perished in the water. They again took courage, once more made a brave assault upon the castle, and had even raised their standard on the walls, which were covered with troops. These fierce warriors having also whetted the teeth of avarice with the hope of plunder, were rushing on to seize their prey, when Messih Pasha, unwilling that the riches of a fortified place like Rhodes should fall a prey to the soldiery, gave orders that as the treasury of the place belonged exclusively to the Sultan, no one should dare to touch it. As soon as this unwelcome intelligence was spread amongst the soldiers, those on the outside would proceed no farther, whilst those in the interior remained motionless; and the enemy, having made a violent rush from one quarter, put to the sword all they met. Soleiman Pasha Beg of Costamoni likewise shared the fate of martyrdom. Thus the avarice of Messih Pasha and the selfishness of the troops were the cause of this ill fortune. At last he withdrew from the castle, and amidst loud complaints directed his course towards the capital. On his way he attacked the castle of Bodrun; but being unsuccessful here also, he returned to the Porte. When he landed at Beshektash the sanjak of Gallipoli was given to him, and to this district he immediately proceeded.