288 *• HISTORY OF THE VvAHABEES. 



very few followers, as did also Faisal and Ghalia. 

 The escape of this aniazoii was a disappointment 

 to Ali, who was anxious to send her as a trophy 

 to Constantinople ; but no proposals could induce 

 her to desert the Bedouins, or confide in the offers 

 of the Turks. The whole camp of the Wahabees, 

 — their provisions, ammunition, camels, women, 

 and all that belonged to them, — became the prey 

 of the victors. The tent of Faisal, which contained 

 about 2000 dollars (437/.), was bestowed on Rajah, 

 who had especially distinguished himself. Mounted 

 on a famous mare, he had galloped far in advance 

 of the lines through the enemy's ranks, and striking 

 his lance into the ground immediately before the 

 door of the tent, he defended himself with his sword 

 until he Avas rescued by the approach of his friends. 

 The loss of the Turks was reckoned only between 

 400 and 500 men, chiefly owing to the skilful dispo- 

 sitions of the pasha. Individual instances are re- 

 corded of the most romantic valour among the Arabs. 

 Bakrouj killed two of the pasha's officers with his 

 own hand ; and when his mare was shot under him, 

 he fought on foot among the Turkish cavalry until 

 he found an opportunity of pulling a trooper from 

 his horse, which he instantly mounted, and by this 

 means escaped. IbnShokban, chief of Beishe, with 

 a few hundred men, cut his way through the whole 

 body of the enemy's infantry. Numerous parties 

 of the Azir Arabs had sworn by the oath of divorce 

 not to fly, but if possible to return to their families 

 victorious. After the battle, whole ranks of them 

 vvere found lying dead upon the hills, tied together 

 by the legs with ropes. Having fought as long as 

 their ammunition lasted, they had resolved to perish 

 to the last man rather than disgrace their tribe by 

 running away. 



Tidings of this important victory were imme- 

 diately despatched to Constantinople and Cairo, 

 Elated with success, the Turks resumed their na" 



