398 ALEXANDRIA. 
CHAP, with great politeness, but returned this brief 
^^..^ and pithy answer ; that '' the first Turkish ship 
which presumed to enter, before the city ivas sur- 
During their visit, the Turk had loaded them with every pretended 
proof of civility and kindness. The very day on which this dastardly 
assassin perpetrated his black design, he swore by his beard, in 
presence of the Beys who were breakfasting at his table, and 
by the holy Koran which was before him, that he was their firm 
friend and supporter. When the entertainment was nearly concluded, 
an attendant came into the Pasha's tent, to inform his Highness that 
a sufficient number of horses and trappings could nut be procured for 
the whole of the retinue. The Pasha, hearing this, pretended to be 
highly incensed at the messenger — " However," said he, "Gentlemen, 
we wiU not le disappointed in our excursion : my boats are in the lake, 
close to the camp, and we may proceed to Alexandria by vrater, where 
your Mamalukes, and my attendants, may meet us in the city." The 
cunning of this is evident : he separates the Beys from their body- 
guard, that there may be no prospect of an effectual resistance. The 
poor unsuspecting Beys embarked with the Pasha, and, attended by 
four or five boats, steered towards the inundation. Scarcely had they 
advanced a quarter of a mile from the "shore, when a boat arrived, 
with a messenger who pretended to have a particular despatch for the 
Pasha from Constantinople. The Turk immediately opening the 
letter, apologized to the Beys, saying that he was obliged to answer 
the despatch, but that he would afterwards follow them to Alexandria. 
In this manner he left the Beys, and returned in the small boat to 
the camp ; by this artifice avoiding the exposure of his own person in 
the scuffle that was to ensue. Shortly after his departure, the boats 
alter their course, and steer for Aboukir Bay, with an intention of 
putting the Beys on board the Sultan Selitn, there at anchorage. The 
Beys now perceived the whole design of this dark plot. They first 
remonstrated ; then resisted ; and, exclaiming they were betrayed, a 
discharge of musketry was poured upon them from two or three of 
the boats. Endeavouring to defend themselves, they were attacked 
by the crew of the Pasha's boat with swords. Notwithstanding all 
this, they fought manfully with their poignards. Osman Bev 
ToMBOURGEE, succcssor to MouRAD Bey, received seventeen wounds. 
The event of this affair was, that of seven Beys, and a Cashef or 
Prime 
