"What care we? We do not
flee, we only retreat. And our friends advise us to do this."
"Who are these friends?" asked Bardissi, angrily.
"The English, none of whom, as you know, have ever deceived us. They
have informed me that the Turks are advancing in three columns, and
have advised me not to attack them. They say it would be a great
risk, and such a risk would not be advisable without a better
prospect of success. But we could not hope for success, for, as you
know yourselves, we are in want of arms and ammunition. If
vanquished, we should also be massacred, and they would finish here
at Damanhour the work they began at Aboukir. Can you desire that, ye
beys?"
"We desire to conquer, and not to flee like cowards!" replied
Bardissi, haughtily.
"The unwise general attacks incautiously, and when defeated is
laughed at for his pains," replied L'Elfi. "The wise general yields
to necessity, and awaits his opportunity."
"Then you can wait, L'Elfi!" cried Bardissi.
"I will wait, and have resolved to do so," said L'Elfi, gravely. "I
came to warn you, and not to take part in this ridiculous
expedition. But observe, Bardissi, I do not flee--I retreat. Woe to
you if you do not follow my example; woe to you all if you let
rashness instead of prudence prevail, and attack the Turks now! I
repeat it, strong columns are advancing! First, Youssouf Bey; then
the shrewd sarechsme--you know, Bardissi, who told us to beware of
him--the shrewd sarechsme, Mohammed Ali; and, finally, Taher Pacha,
and woe to you if you venture to attack them!"
"Woe to him who sees and understands his enemy, and yet dare not
attack him!" cried Bardissi.
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