United States or Uruguay ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It is Youssouf, our faithful major-domo, come out with a lantern to meet us. A few rods farther through the mud, and we turn a corner beside an acacia hedge and the ruined arch of an ancient well. There, in a little field of flowers, close to the tiniest of brooks, our tents are waiting for us with open doors. The candles are burning on the table. The rugs are spread and the beds are made.
As you yourself admit that a mistress is responsible for her servant's actions, I declare and shall hold you, Sitta Nefysseh, responsible for your servant's crime." "That you cannot do, highness! Youssouf is no longer my servant, is no longer in my house.
It is indeed a peaceful day in which our journey to Jerusalem is completed. Leaving the tents and impedimenta in charge of Youssouf and Shukari the cook, and the muleteers, we are in the saddle by seven o'clock, and riding into the narrow entrance of the Wâdi 'Ali. It is a long, steep valley leading into the heart of the hills.
"You will lead them to victory, and return a victor. My general, Taher Pacha, will unite his forces with yours and Youssouf Bey's. Taher Pacha is already on the march from Upper Egypt. And now, tell me, do you think our forces are strong enough to chastise and overthrow the Mameluke beys?" "In order to reply, I must first know the strength of all your forces combined."
"That is to say, O mistress, you intend to drive me from you; you wish to proclaim to the world that Kachef Youssouf is a faithless coward!" "Who dare say that?" cried she, her eyes sparkling with anger. "Do you not suppose all the world will point their fingers at me when I return?
"You are a brave man, Kachef Youssouf," said Bardissi, "but consider that you risk your life, and perhaps in vain." "I shall, however, die in the performance of my duty! I will go over and make the attempt!" "As you are? And do you not suppose the first sentinel on the walls of Damietta will shoot you down?" "I shall not go as I am, Osman Bey.
Let him return a hero covered with glory, and then, O Allah, graciously grant that I may be able to reward him for all his love, and for all the pain I have caused him! Let Kachef Youssouf return as Youssouf the Mameluke bey, and I shall be blessed; as the master of my life will I accept him, for I love him." A horse's hoofs ring out against the pavement of the court-yard without.
"Sleep, Youssouf, sleep beneath my veil! You are dead, and my happiness dies with you I shall be a living monument to your memory! I shall live in poverty and solitude, Youssouf, and the treasures which you buried for me beneath the earth shall remain there, a subterranean monument to my love. They shall never see the light of day!
"I know I can safely confide to the kachef of my deceased husband all that I have and possess. You will keep the keys; and listen, Youssouf, should I die- " "Die!" he exclaimed, with a cry which he found it impossible to repress. "Die! you, Sitta Nefysseh?" "I am mortal, as we all are, as great Mourad was!" said she, gravely.
One of his predecessors, who was at Belgrade on my first visit there in 1839, was a man of another stamp, the notorious Youssouf Pasha, who sold Varna during the Russian war. The re-employment of such an individual is a characteristic illustration of Eastern manners.
Word Of The Day