Mohammed Ali and His House

ple of Mecca. Beside him stood several of the leading citizens of Cairo. They had come t

in warning tones. "You know the viceroy is very powerf

the others, joining in his entreaty. "Consi

f the women of Cairo to be shamefully insulted. The people look to us, their representatives, to protect them, and woe to us

ceroy is resolute and defies us with his troops. Let me

last, the cadi consented to wait until

d allows you to conduct her through

d the cadi, "although the viceroy should be required

do," cried the oualy. "Be contented if he sets the Sit

said the cadi, "that he with d

ly, smiling. "Not finding what they soug

and endeavor to soften his severity," c

artment. In a few minutes he returned

nd you are to conduct the Sitta in triumph through the city. W

liberty proves only that he had no right to arrest her, and that the viceroy does righ

a. "The viceroy annexes a lit

," said the c

ns there. Her house is in the outskirts of the city, and it is difficult to observe those who enter and leave it. It is peculiarly accessible to the en

e will not refuse to honor the abode of her o

informed of what had taken place, came forward to meet them, leading Sit

ll you extend your hospitality to the poor

friend Mourad Bey will also cross my threshold once more. Your presence in my hu

people recognized her queenly figure and bearing, although her face was veiled. Shouts of delight rent the air. "Long live Sitta Nefysseh, and the cadi! Praised be Allah th

eh in triumph through the streets. The cadi

silent chamber, and they brought a smile to his lips. He had stayed in his apar

ou, enthroned in the citadel. They dreamed of happiness and peace, and called you a just ruler. I have opened their eyes. Today, they know Cousrouf to be an unjust ruler, and love him no l

s walking to and fr

to listen to the cries that resounded fro

rted the insolent lad into a lion who wears the skin of a fox. You were pleased with the fox, stroked his fur, and called him your devoted servant. But, only wait, the fox-skin will soon fall to the ground and disclose the lion ready to destroy you. Yes," continued he, "wa

and children were now hushed, and the hoarse tones of men only could be heard. He hastily stepped back from the window. No, he must not be

le of the room, and listen

lf, stepping to the door of the antechamber, and becko

chsme. Shall I go

d find out what it means, and then

Mohammed continued to walk to and fro. The upr

bread! We are hungry.

cries that resounded

ccount; Taher is ambitious, and wants the viceroy's throne. He begins the work of rebellion for himself, he will end it for me; though I can as yet take

to go to the defterdar, and demand payment of him in the viceroy's name. In accordance with this demand, the soldiers had then repaired to the house of the defterdar, and had, upon admission being denied them, broken dow

he house, and demand their pay. They are furious, and swear by Allah and the prophet that they will not rest u

ows are right,

now resound

o beggars! Give us our pay, Mohammed Ali! The defterda

en, and, in tones that were heard a

ed you. I have no money!

, and laid the sword, dagger, and pisto

am not alarmed. I will

appears among them unarmed, and motions the soldiers, t

, and do not forget t

yet, like you, in th

d a soldier, in mocking tones. "Do they als

more. Ask my soldiers what I did with this money. I shared it with my soldiers as a general should. I retained five purses, for this amount was due my creditors. The other five purses I gave to my soldiers-not as their

sarechsme!" cried one of the soldiers, and the

he sarechsme tells the truth. Let us return

med, however, returned to his solitary apartments wit

s soldiers tell him of the presents made by me to mine. The waves are surging higher and higher, but I see th

nd when they came he conversed with them for a long time, and gave them his orders. The

rom me by that time, him bashis, you may allow the soldiers to

to the house of the defterdar, sit

ey, and called for the defterdar with such sav

ion, and begged the soldiers to listen to him. The uproar subsided for a moment. He entreated them to be patient f

st threateningly, "we have waited long enough,

f the defterdar does not pay up we will tear hi

ntil he gives us our pay!" yelled the soldiers, as

h a secret passage into the street, to convey i

have broken into his house, and he is in their powe

ed this intelli

ter, and that to threaten me is to destroy themselves. Let the artillerists stand by their guns, with burning fuses, and await my orders! Let the soldiers be drawn up a

master, and delivered the viceroy's message, and the deli

roy, he will receive you, and g

ed the soldiers. "The

eal justl

guns of the fortress hurl their deadly contents among them. "We are betrayed! They are murdering us!" yell the infuriated rebels, drawing their ataghans, and rushing upon the Turkish soldiers who are endeavoring to drive them from the citadel, fighting them man to m

r Pacha, less discreet, hastens forth to suppress, or, if the prospect seems favorable, to encou

re the city to tranquillity; and,

hness desires no peaceful settlement. He says he will make no compromise with rebels! You

g profoundly. "The wisdom of the viceroy

, went down to his soldiers and

bloodshed. But he declined, and said there could be no settlement between you and

last subsided, he continued: "The viceroy says the defterdar is to pay you-

y; and the wild masses again rush

orn asunder; and Taher

ians run with savage

es the defterdar, with

unts? We will take you, together

dar, pointing to his books. "Take

surged with their pri

who stood at the window, and looked dow

aher Pacha is at its head, and we sh