Youssouf
Bey, my lieutenant, leads the first column, and the second, my
Mohammed Ali, the second you will lead!"
"I thank you, highness, and I promise to lead my soldiers to battle
and victory, or to be brought back with the dead!"
"You will lead them to victory, and return a victor. My general,
Taher Pacha, will unite his forces with yours and Youssouf Bey's.
Taher Pacha is already on the march from Upper Egypt. And now, tell
me, do you think our forces are strong enough to chastise and
overthrow the Mameluke beys?"
"In order to reply, I must first know the strength of all your
forces combined." He spoke with downcast eyes, apparently all
devotion, and only intent on his master's advantage. Cousrouf Pacha
was far from suspecting with what feverish suspense the sarechsme
awaited his reply.
"I will tell you, and you alone, Mohammed Ali," replied he, in
subdued tones. "We have only sixteen or seventeen thousand soldiers,
and it will be difficult to concentrate them at one point, as they
are scattered throughout Middle and Upper Egypt. The nucleus of this
army that is to be formed consists of the four thousand Albanians
sent me by the capitan pacha, and these Albanians count double. They
are strong and brave. To be sure they are also a little too wild and
headstrong; and, in addition, they are not Turks."
"O highness," said Mohammed, with a sigh, "if that is a fault, I
must express my profound regret, as I unfortunately am not a Turk
myself.
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