370 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



most barren country in the world, still retains a measure of freedom; 

 the Egyptian, on the richest of soils, has become a slave, who is not 

 likely ever to venture to shake off his chains, though he still talks 

 vaingloriously of the greatness of his past. 



In point of fact, the Nubian has as much right, if not more, to 

 glory in the exploits of his ancest^ors and to fortify his soul in 

 recounting their prowess. For these ancestors fought bravely not 

 •only with the Pharaohs and the Romans, but also with the Turks and 

 the Arabs — the governing and subject races of modern Egypt ^' — 

 nor would they have been overcome had they not been without fire- 

 arms. At the time of my first visit to the Nile, eye-witnesses of 

 some of the last battles were still alive, and from their lips I learned 

 ■enough to enable me to do justice, in one respect at least, to a manly, 

 much misjudged people. The events to which I refer took place in 

 the beginning of the third decade of this century. 



After Mohammed- Aali, the energetic but unscrupulous and even 

 ■cruel founder of the family now ruling in Egypt, had, in March 

 1811, treacherously fallen upon and massacred the chiefs of the 

 Mamelukes whom he had invited to meet him, his mastery of the 

 Lower Nile seemed assured. But the proud warriors, whose leaders 

 had been done to death by shameful stratagem and unworthy breach 

 of faith, were not completely subjugated. Brooding revenge, the 

 Mamelukes chose new leaders and betook themselves to Nubia, 

 there to collect their forces, to renew the combat with their artful 

 foe, or at least to threaten him. Mohammed- Aali recognized the 

 danger, and delayed not to meet it. His army followed the still- 

 scattered troops of the Mamelukes. The latter, too weak to venture 

 open battle, were forced to take to the river-forts, where, fighting 

 desperately and defiant of death, they fell to a man. The Nubians 

 were conquered at the same time, and, submitting to their fate, 

 were condemned to servitude. Only the brave race of the warlike 

 Sheikier resisted. In 1820 they met the Turkish-Egyptian army 

 near the village of Korti — an heroic but undisciplined people, 

 accustomed to win victory with lance, sword, and shield, against 

 well-driUed soldiers equipped with fire-arms. According to ancient 

 custom the women were present at the battle to stimulate the 



