"
Soon afterward a boat came to shore, and the boulouk bashi, Mohammed
Ali, demanded, in the name of the capitan pacha, to be conducted to
the presence of the English general. With an air of profound
deference and humility, he delivered the message of the capitan
pacha, and expressed his own regret of the fearful event that had
occurred.
"It was a misunderstanding. I myself was to blame for it, and bow in
humility before your just anger! The capitan pacha had commanded me
to arrest the rebellious Mameluke beys, and bring them on board the
admiral's ship, in order that they might be conveyed to Stamboul.
His orders were, that no resistance should be tolerated, and that
severe measures should be adopted at the first manifestation of
violence on their part. Sir, such manifestations were not wanting,
and I had no sooner come near the boats which contained the
rebellious Mameluke beys, when they grasped their arms, and
threatened us with wild gestures. We fought for life, general, not
knowing that our lives were, in your estimation, as nothing to those
mighty, renowned Mameluke beys. We fought for our lives, as they did
theirs; and, if the Mamelukes were vanquished in this conflict, it
was, it seems to me, Allah's will. Yet, I beg pardon for what has
happened, and repeat, in the name of the capitan pacha, it was a
misunderstanding--oh, sir, a deplorable misunderstanding!"
The general shrugged his shoulders, and glanced angrily at the
quiet, defiant countenance of the young officer.
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