HISTORY OF THE WAHABEES. 293 



Keith, while hasteninf^ with 250 horsemen to the 

 assistance of his commander, was surrounded by a 

 superior force, and fell at the head of his troops, 

 who were all cut to pieces. In this action the brave 

 Scotchman killed four of the enemy with his own 

 hand. 



In the mean time, Abdallah had not neglected 

 his duty, having likewise entered the province of 

 Kasym with his army, and fixed his head-quarters 

 at Shenana, only five hours distance from Khabara, 

 where Toussoun was now encamped. In this di- 

 lemma the adventurous pasha wished to terminate 

 all suspense by a battle ; but his officers and soldiers 

 declined, — deeming it more prudent for persons in 

 their situation to compromise than to fight ; the 

 more so as Mohammed Ali had written to Abdallah 

 before quitting Hejaz, exhorting him to submission, 

 and offering terms of peace ; at the same time au- 

 thorizing his son to conclude the truce, if that could 

 be done on favourable conditions. Abdallah on his 

 part had reasons for bringing matters to a pacific 

 termination. He foresaw that the destruction even 

 of Toussoun's entire force would be of little real 

 advantage to him so long as the Turks could repair 

 their losses from the abundant resources of Egypt. 

 He knew also that they possessed the means of 

 bribery ; and that some of his companions in arms 

 were in their hearts the allies of his enemies. 



Negotiations were speedily concluded ; and in 

 ratifying the treaty Abdallah renounced all claim to 

 the holy cities ; affected to style himself the dutiful 

 subject of the sultan ; and obtained a free passage 

 for the Wahabees whenever they wished to perform 

 the pilgrimage Toussoun restored those towns of 

 Kasym which he held in his possession, and dis- 

 missed from his party all the sheiks of that country 

 who had joined his standard. 



The exchange of ratifications was conducted with 

 considerable ceremony. The manifesto in which 



Bb2 



