385 
hardly arrived, when his troops, who were advancing* 
were surprised and defeated. In consequence of this, 
Ali Pacha received an order to quit Cairo, as also the 
country, by the way of Syria. At his departure he was 
accompanied by a detachment of Mamelukes; but on 
the third day of his journey, the latter remained a short 
distance behind, and fired upon the pacha and his suite, 
who were thus all assassinated. 
Whilst these events were passing, policy was prepar- 
ing a very important revolution for Egypt, and for 
European commerce in the east, which unfortunately 
failed. 
At the period of the evacuation of Egypt by the 
English, the Mameluke Elfi Bey, who had been the slave 
and heir of Murat Bey, accompanied them to Malta, with 
the intention of passing to London. Political circum- 
stances were varying at every instant; and the impor- 
tance of Elfi varied with them; until, weary of the little 
respect and consideration which the English had for 
him, he resolved to form relations with France, and was 
upon the point of embarking for that country, when the 
English offered him a frigate to convey him to England, 
which he accepted: and from the moment of his disem- 
barkation he treated with them upon matters which al- 
together suited his ambition, and the interest of Great 
Britain. In consequence of this, he was supplied with 
money, and means of aggrandizing himself; and a plan 
of the conduct to be observed with respect to Egypt 
was fixed upon. 
Elfi returned to Egypt in an English frigate, loaded 
with presents and riches. Osman Bey Bardissi, who of 
all the Mameluke beys had the most bravery and iu- 
VOL, I. 3c 
