Before him, I for the first time in my life experienced
fear. Beware of him; if possible, make a friend of him, for the
sarechsme, Mohammed Ali, would prove a mighty ally!"
"I know him well," said Osman Bey, smiling. "I met him when a boy,
and even then we confronted each other as enemies. A short time
since I met him again, and he then protected me from the fury of his
soldiers; and I am grateful. I will endeavor, Sitta, to win him over
to our interests, as you suggest. If we succeed, and when this
formidable enemy shall have become our ally, the Mameluke beys will
have great cause to congratulate themselves, and thank Sitta
Nefysseh again."
"The only proof of your gratitude that I ask is, that you stand
united. Thank me by pronouncing my name when you stand side by side
on the battle-field, from which you have driven the enemy!"
"We will do so. Your name will I pronounce when I go out to battle!
And your name will my lips utter, O Sitta Nefysseh, when I sink down
upon the bloody field!" Thus spoke both, and then bowed profoundly
before Mourad's widow.
"And now you may go," said she, gently. "Walk arm-in-arm through the
Muskj Street, that all the world may see that the two greatest
Mameluke beys are friends. If these are united, then will the
struggle soon terminate. Now go and show the people that you are
friends."
"And if they express surprise at our friendship," cried Osman Bey,
his eyes sparkling, "we will say Mourad's widow wills it so, and we
humbly and cheerfully obey.
Pages:
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448