Mohammed Ali and His House

etresin threw long shadows across the yellow sand, and yet Sheik Arnhyn had not yet

Butheita on the mat, and had e

; but her quick eye had read in his countenance that a cloud

stranger, is your heart so very sad? Is there nothing Butheita can do for you. You are wearied; this space is too narrow

asked Mohammed, his lips s

sang beautiful songs, and the words and tones have often since resounded in my heart. Do you know, sarechsme, that often, when my father had gone out with his Bedouins to fight or to plunder, as was sometimes the case, then my only pleasure was

e with its bag of goat-skin, and to its shrill accompanim

yptian towns. When she had finished her song, she turned the gaze of her dark eyes upon Mohammed with an inquiring expression. When she saw the smile on his countenance, and encountered t

joyous tones, a song about a gazelle-like maiden wh

his sighing for the dear gazelle that stole away his so

me! " cried Mohammed,

ave pity on

t, and played in such loud, shrill tones, that it almost deafen

r in silence. B

ere in the distance! Yes, there come two figures. That is my father, that is Sheik Arn

d regarded her with a long, earnest look, t

the words of your song-'Throughout the long, long night my sighing ceases not, my sighing for the dear gazelle that stole aw

n which her keen eye recognized two human figures, but in which

makes me sad. If you fancy I have found it dull here, you are in error. My heart is onl

et us step back for a moment, I have something to say to you. -To be sure I might have told you where we were," she continued, blushing, as

what did you wis

me that only a moment has passed since I saw you yesterday, and yet it is an eternity. Yesterday lies far behind me, and

? Why do I see tears i

said she, sadly. "You will now go; the man who is coming with fa

give me one of the roses

she passed her little brown hand across her mouth.

. She felt his warm br

Let me pluck a ki

ut out her rosy lips, but then suddenly

one who shall lead me to his tent as his wife. It is well that father is coming. Fa

the tent to meet her father. Sheik Arnhyn rec

cceeded, have you guar

takes her father's arm, and, without looking at the man who

meet them. Butheita now hardly recognizes, in the haughty sarechsme, with hi

om my army? Really, you were very presumptuous. Such cond

de a profoun

ory, and will treat with you.- Come, Butheita, what they have to say to each other does not concern us, we have done our duty, and I have performed what I promised.

d caftans, the golden vessels, the jewelled daggers, and the co

Osman Bey Bardissi, and the sarechsme, Mohammed Ali, and regard each other with a long,

ion. In the years that have since passed, I have often thought of the boy with the eagle eyes and the haughty, contemptuous smile. Our second meeting occurred a few months since, after the massacre at

I have received a proof of your friendship! You have had me snared like a wild beast, and abducted from

his matter shall be kept to ourselves. We meet to-day for the third time, and do you know why, Mohammed Ali? I caused you to be abducted because I promised you friendship. I did not wish to confront you as an enemy; against my wish a bullet might have chanced to strike you; and, I know not how it is, but I feel drawn to you, I feel a desire to be your friend. I wish to fight at your side, and not against you. We two, O Mohammed-we two, unite

o was t

bring it into subjection, as he was, but could not. For, observe, this was his mistake: he assumed a hostile attitude toward the Mamelukes, instead of seeking their friendship. And this I now hope of you, Mohammed Ali, that

ied Mohammed excitedly; "tr

Look at me! Do you see these dark spots on my clothing? 'Tis blood, Mohammed Ali, human blood. It splashed on me from many a wound! G

ny Mamelukes also, I

med q

head slowly. "Not ma

iedly counted them. T

-field of Daman hour

s, hardl

ble!" cried Moha

their artillery. While we were forming in front of them, their artillery began to thunder; it was to carry death into our ranks, and it succeeded. Fearful was the first shock! I began to fear lest my men should flinch. I called to them in a loud voice, and with them bore down upon the enemy with the speed of the lightning, regardless of the thundering artillery. But its discharges were murderous, and I saw that it was impossible to advance farther in this direction. We then turned, and, before the Turks could take measures to prevent it, fell upon their unprotected left flank and bore down upon their ranks. The first rank, surprised and terrified by my sudden

t on my own account, and on account of my Mamelukes. I well know what mettle your other generals are made of! From Youssouf Bey and Taher Pacha the Mameluke Beys have nothing to fear; I know them, and know that they are poor soldiers; but of you, Mohammed Ali, I have a different opinion. When I saw you on the ship, I said to myself: `This man will become a hero; woe to us when he confronts us in battle, but joy if we can win him to our side and make him our friend!' Therefore, I entreat you, be our friend, Mohammed Ali. Abandon the treacherous Turks, for treacherous they are! We saw this at Aboukir, and I think have aroused indignation in your gallant heart to see them massacre so many of our noblest beys through vile trickery and treachery. I can well understand that you cannot admit this while you are a sarechsme of the Turks; yet,

fastened on Mohamme

less suspense. The la

tones of entreaty almo

l

dier, who, wearing his uniform, must ever be mindful that he has sworn the oath of fidelity. Moreover, I am your prisoner. Do you suppose it would beseem the soldier to treat with his enemy against his commander-in-chief? Wo

o longer a prisoner. You were entrapped, and brought here, because I wished to speak w

, I wear a general's uniform, and my army corps is awaiting me! You cannot suppose that I will abandon them, or incite them to treason! As

say 'no' to my prop

self might escape him. Only he who is calm and collected can depend on securing it, Bardissi. Therefore, I say, wait! Yet, this will I say, in addition," cont

broad, sinewy hand in Moham

me. Perhaps it will, be communicated to you through common report-perhaps

but glanced uneasily at M

mies not to fear Mohammed Ali might prove like the rest. I require no answer. In c

everence and obey her as we should

her!" said Mohammed, with a s

er, and suspicion excited against you. I ride in that direction. The dromedary will bear you back to your camp by a shorter route across the desert. She who brought you

Mohammed, extending his

and give orders to have the dromedary saddled for yo

ide, and Bardissi called the shei

nd the partition, by Butheita. She stood there, her head bowed down, and her gaze fixed on the spot where she had broken bread with Mohammed. Now, he

eita," whispered h

e going away," said she. "Father is already saddl

d gladly hold me back. But I am a man, and must listen to the voic

you, say that you do not wish it, that

ling to pass an hour in my company? Did I conduct myself unbecomingly while we were together in the palanquin this

t; it is something quite different. It pains me to see you leave. This morning, I c

of me?" said he, gazin

ne. "You are a great and distinguished man, and would laugh at the poor Bedouin child if she should regard you otherwise than as a great sarechsme, who

too, Butheita? "

and, although he had intended returning with the bey to collect the spoils from

ou, and must say that I rejoice to see you act as you do. I rejoice in you, my star-eyed desert queen!

will not,

to your father to allow him only to kiss y

be mindful of

h passionate violence he clasped her in his arms, and pre

outstretched arms she knelt there, motionl

re the tent, and beckoned

; it will be too fatiguing for your daug

m ready," said he, commanding the dromedary to kneel down. M

. She therefore remained silent. She had drawn the curtain over the entrance to the inner apartment, and lay on the mat weeping; weeping and laugh

ng the ground; clouds of sand were whirled aloft, and enveloped the animal and the riders as with

, the sheik halted. Having dismounted with Mohammed, he addressed a few l

he sheik, smiling. "It wil

ode on swiftly through meadows

out against the evening sky? That is your camp. If you desire

ik. Farewell, and accept t

rse filled with gold-pieces.

ay things that do not

d yet you say you have

y, unless it be with

, I shall rejoice, and

pitality, and will love you and hold yo

apartment where his couch lay, but in the first one he heard loud voices. His officers were speaking of him. They were making anxious inquiries and conjectures as to where the general might be, and were considering whether they should make further search for him or break up camp and return to Cairo. They were the voices of

at them h

o be called to accoun

eaking, and saluted him

ings of the wind. When I reached their camp, the battle had already begun. It was too late to march to Youssouf Bey's assistance. I therefore did what I could, drew my sword and fought in the ranks as a common soldier. The day was adverse; the Turkish army lies defeated on the plain of Damanhour! Now let u

l knew how to impress them with a sense of his superiority; they all recognized in him a great man, and felt his iron hand on their necks. All now grows stil

ate of doubt and hesitation all along; his future was enveloped in a thick veil, and he was not aware what shape his destiny was to take; yet he had closely observed all. He bad seen that poor Egypt was a plaything of ambition, of rapacity, of intrigue-a prey for all. Nowhere in the midst of this reign of intrigue and passion had he seen law and justice prevail. He saw only a province trodden under foot, a bleeding land, that must perish in its citizens, unless a deliverer should come who knew how to bind up and he

hing, let this be the motto of my immediate future: 'To overthrow the enemy by rebellion were unwise; he who usurps another's place is always a rebel, and deserving of punishment.' I must be called to the throne by the people th

tes announced to the sarechsme that no t

id the sarechsme to his bim bashis;

well pleased to return home. "I am, too!" said he to himself, smiling. "I am well pleased that

ached Cairo. Many had heard it with intense satisfaction, many with so

ets, they were greeted with shouts of joy. They returned

paired to his house

troops to the citadel, to the viceroy. With furious despair and tears of rage, he told the story of his terrible defeat, thinking by this display of anguish to wash his hands of the disgrace of having been vanquished wit

I accuse of treason, above all, Mohammed Ali, and also Taher Pacha! They knew I was in danger: had they come up, I should not have lost the battle; but they did not come, because they desired my downfall, in order tha

and perhaps he also felt a foreboding rise in his heart that Mohammed Ali was s

strict investigation shall be made, and woe

oops. The viceroy immediately dispatched a messenger to the sarechsme, ordering him to come up to

morrow, in the broad light of day, with my soldiers. My weary troops must rest tonight, and without them I

arechsme repaired to the citadel. An ominous cry resounded from their lips as the

, the sarechsme entered the apartment of the viceroy, Cousrouf Pacha, who was awaiting him. In utter disregard of deference and usa

emand of you that to which they have assuredly lon

a furtive glance of hatred at Mohammed-"I see

in subdued tones-" I believe we are both wh

ion that passed between them, but every one saw Cousr

eturn to your house, and order the soldiers to return t

nd left the

e patient and wait," said Moha

measures, and they rejoiced over it, for the viceroy was always haughty and overbearing in his manner toward

each other-" we will wait! What ou

ce to his command, to the

a peculiar smile on his lips,

that I, as he says, am still the same Mohammed Ali I was at Cav