"Mourad's widow has the right to be the friend of both of
you; she may hold out her hands to you and say: `Be my friends, my
brothers, and, as you love me, also love one another.' For the
second time I entreat you, grasp each other's hands and be friends.
For both let there be one common enemy--the enemy who confronts you
on the field of battle--the Turk! Grasp hands in love and
friendship!"
The two beys grasped each other's hands firmly.
"Let it be as our friend and sister wishes; she shall see us united.
Let there be for us but one common enemy--the Turk!"
"An enemy who grows stronger each day!" said Sitta Nefysseh. "We
thought to have peace when the Franks should have left, but
unfortunately it is not so. The Turks are resolved to subjugate us.
I know they will not rest until they have overthrown and destroyed
the haughty Mameluke beys! They are continually bringing new troops,
into the country, and their leader is a dangerous enemy, believe
me!"
"For the second time you speak of this `dangerous enemy.' Tell us,
Sitta, who is he?"
"He it is," said she, in earnest tones, "who brought the letter to
the capitan pacha at Aboukir; he it is who confronted you in that
bloody struggle, and whose courage, boldness, and determination,
captured the stronghold Rosetta. I have read the countenance of the
sarechsme, and in his eye I have recognized the lion and the fox
combined.
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