AND LOWER EGYPT. 295 



have chosen either of these alternatives : I took a 

 resoUition directly opposite. I determined to face 

 the danger, and to present myself openly, in 

 order to avert it. I quitted the boat immediately 

 with one of my attendants ; my habit prevented 

 me from being recognised. We passed through 

 several streets. Every where the topic of con- 

 versation was the Franc who had beaten a Mus- 

 sulman. I arrived at the house of the Kuischefi 

 I penetrated through the crowd, who little sup- 

 posed that the person on whom their thoughts 

 were employed was in the midst of them ; at 

 length I stood before the Kiaschef. An imm'. nse 

 number of persons surrounded him. The Reis 

 and my other accusers stood forward and pointed 

 me out to the commandant. '' Is it you, then,'' said 

 the Kiaschef to me in the most angry tone ima- 

 ginable, *' who was audacious enough to offer vio- 

 lence to a believinFfMussulman ?" " Give no heed, 

 I replied, in a determined tone, " to the vain cla- 

 mour of these paltry fellahs , to whom, for the 

 honour of a valiant Mameluc, you have already 

 paid but too much attention. You are the slave 

 of Mourat Bey; you know very well that I am 

 his friend; I have some important intelligence to 

 communicate to you from him ; attend." I imme- 

 diately approached, and pretending to whisper in 

 his ear, I slipped a few chequins into his hand, 

 Vv-hich I held ready in my own. 



u 4 The 



