The first rank, surprised
and terrified by my sudden flank attack, gave way, and their
infantry was thrown into disorder. The blows of our ataghans fell
thick and fast. The enemy turned and fled in wild disorder, we
following them. Mohammed Ali, the slaughter was dreadful! Eight
hundred Mamelukes vanquished over three thousand Turks! Sheik
Arnhyn's Bedouins, who are now on the field, can show you the rich
spoils. Let them rob the dead; for me and mine, who scorn to do
this, spoils enough still remain; we have captured all their
artillery, and munitions of war in abundance. `It was a glorious
day,' so say the Mameluke beys. `It was a disastrous day,' will the
viceroy, throned in the proud citadel at Cairo, lament.
"Do you now understand, O sarechsme, why I caused you to be abducted
from your camp by my friend Sheik Arnhyn? I did it partly on my own
account, and partly out of friend ship for you. You look at me
inquiringly; you do not understand! I will explain. Intelligence had
been brought to me that, should Youssouf Bey be defeated, you were
to march rapidly to his assistance. I saw the messenger sent by him
to call you to his assistance; you would have come too late. You
could only have shared defeat had you come up with your troops,
exhausted by their march, and attacked the Mamelukes, flushed with
victory. They would have defeated you, and therefore do I consider
it an act of friendship to have prevented your coming at all.
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