"Do you wish to be cautious like L'Elfi? shall we retreat from the
approaching enemy?" cries Osman Bey, the crown of bravery. "Speak,
ye kachefs! We ask your advice, for not we alone, but you also, rush
into danger. Our blood and yours is to be shed alike. Therefore, let
us take counsel together. The enemy is very strong, as you know. He
is approaching in three columns. I pray you to consider and
determine quickly, as the danger increases with each minute. If the
three columns unite, the danger is multiplied; therefore, every
thing depends on quick and resolute action. Youssouf Bey, Sheik
Arnhyn informs us, is only two days' march distant--Mohammed Ali,
three. It seems to me, our plan should be to march against Youssouf,
and vanquish him before Mohammed Ali can join him; we will then
attack Mohammed Ali. Having vanquished both of them, I hardly think
Taber Pacha will have any desire to sustain the third defeat. We
will then turn our attention to Cairo, now stripped of soldiers."
The kachefs, who had listened to Bardissi's words with sparkling
eyes, spoke as one man:
"We will not retreat from the enemy like L'Elfi! Lead us against
him! We will vanquish him! We are strong and courageous! Our steeds
will bear us upon them with the wings of the wind, and our swords,
aided by those of the invisible hosts, will prove invincible. The
time has at last come to let these Turks feel that we are heroes,
and not cowards.
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