TURKISH TREACHERY. 
377 
usual cold solemnity, met them with smiles, and elaborate pro¬ 
fessions of welcome and esteem ; and, when the time drew near 
to execute his abominable deed of treachery, that he might put 
his victims completely off their guard, and prevent any inter¬ 
position from the man who had innocently betrayed them into 
the snare, till its purpose had been thoroughly effected ; he pro¬ 
posed to the honest and simple-minded Mahmoud Bassam, that 
he should go to the quarters of a certain officer of rank, where 
he would see the kaalets (dresses of honour), that were prepared 
for his Arab guests; at the same time requesting his judgment 
on their adaption to the respective worthiness of the chiefs, 
before they were presented. No sooner had the good old sheik 
entered the tent of the officer, where he expected to be shewn 
the intended presents, than he found himself a temporary pri¬ 
soner. No kaalets were there; and, the veil of deception 
instantly dropping from his eyes, he saw that some treachery 
was premeditated to the brave men he had left in the kiahya’s 
hands ; and frantic with vexation and rage, at his own faith in 
Ottoman honour, having been perverted into a snare for his 
confiding brethren, he conceived no fears for himself, but de¬ 
manded in the most peremptory terms his liberty ; that he might 
go and require the freedom of the chiefs, to the teeth of their 
betrayer. But the honest Arab spoke to men too like their 
commander, to do more than listen with indifference to his 
honourable indignation. Meanwhile, the anticipated scene was 
acting in the kiahya’s tent. The moment he was aware that 
Mahmoud Bassam had passed beyond reach of hearing what was 
passing, or communicating with his own Arabs, the treacherous 
host made a signal, and in an instant the chiefs were surrounded, 
seized and disarmed. Some were silent, with unutterable rage ; 
VOL. II. 3 c 
