But I tell
you I will have justice, satisfaction for this outrage; I will call
you all to account. Go to your master and say to him, in my name,
that his treatment of the Mameluke beys has been treacherous."
"Pardon me," replied the boulouk bashi, composedly, "but perhaps
your excellency does not know what commands respecting these
Mameluke beys were given the capitan pacha by his master, by the
Sublime Porte."
"I read in your countenance what the sultan's intentions and
commands were, and see it in what has occurred. It is his purpose to
destroy the Mamelukes, whom he has entrapped with flattering words
and loving promises. But it shall not be done while I am here. I
demand justice and satisfaction for myself. Let the world pronounce
you Turks liars and traitors, but the same shall not be said of me
and my people! I have pledged my word and the honor of England for
the safety of the Mamelukes; and, though I cannot recall the dead to
life, I will at least care for the living. Go to your master and
tell him this: `Lord Hutchinson demands that all the captured
Mameluke beys be immediately brought to the shore and placed under
his protection. Lord Hutchinson insists that they be at once set at
liberty, and that they shall not be regarded as prisoners of the
grand-sultan."'
"Excellency, it will be very difficult to comply with your demands,"
replied Mohammed.
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