Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 10, 2025
At Gheezeh, on the verge of the desert, the Mamelukes lay encamped on the following day, and there the beys were assembled around their hero, Bardissi, in a sad consultation. True, they are safe, yet they feel that their rule in Cairo is at an end, to be restored no more. "At an end is the rule of the Mamelukes!" cries the sarechsme, Mohammed Ali, triumphantly.
The thunder of these shots arouses the enemy, who lie encamped in front of the fortress, and a bloody, fiercely-contested battle begins. But at its conclusion the allies, Bardissi and Mohammed Ali, enter Damietta in triumph. No quarter is given. They massacre all who fall into their hands; every house is sacked and then burned.
"Now, Butheita," murmured the voice of him who had borne him from the tent, "ride on to the tent with him, and keep him securely until our master, Osman Bey Bardissi, comes to speak with him! Guard him well, for you must know, my daughter, that, dearly as your father loves you, Butheita must die if he escapes. This, I swear, by Allah, so be on your guard, my daughter!"
"Such were your words, Osman Bey Bardissi," replied Mohammed, his voice tremulous with anger, "and now I have received a proof of your friendship! You have had me snared like a wild beast, and abducted from my camp and my soldiers, to become a laughing-stock for them and an object of derision for your people." Bardissi shook his head quietly.
I regret, Osman Bey, that we meet as enemies." Osman Bey Bardissi shook his head slowly. "We were enemies, Mohammed Ali; yet, if Allah permits me to live, you shall soon learn that you have found a friend. I well know that I owe you my life, and I shall be grateful while life lasts." He ceased speaking, and again lost consciousness. Mohammed beckoned to one of the soldiers to approach.
Daily the sufferings of the people became greater, and their hatred of the lawless Mamelukes more intense. Robbed and outraged as they were, they were, in addition, continually being called on to pay new taxes to their detested rulers. The Mameluke beys, Bardissi and Ismail, need money, need it more than ever. But where are they to get it?
You cannot suppose that I will abandon them, or incite them to treason! As yet, I serve the viceroy alone," he continued in a lower voice, "and, as yet, I do not know that I can depend entirely on their fidelity." "However, you do not say 'no' to my proposals?" said Bardissi. "I say wait, Bardissi! He who wishes to attain fortune must not grasp at it with too quick a hand.
He is unconscious, and is bleeding from three wounds. But even in this condition he still grasps his dagger so firmly that it cannot be torn from his band, and as the soldiers attempt it he awakens and opens his eyes. "You are treacherous scoundrels, all of you! Osman Bey Bardissi declares you to be such."
In such terms did Cousrouf speak to his soldiers to encourage them to make a gallant defence of the fortress. But Cousrouf's words excited little enthusiasm among his followers; the scouts sent out returned with the intelligence that the enemy was approaching in immense force. They were advancing along the Nile, Mohammed with the infantry, Bardissi with the mounted troops.
Bardissi trembles! the hero, who amid the din of battle joyously confronts the death-dealing cannon, who never trembles, though face to face with a whole forest of spears Bardissi trembles and turns pale! Sitta Nefysseh sees it, and her smile brightens. "Why do you hesitate to approach, Osman? and what have you to say to me, friend of my husband, Mourad Bey?"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking