His defterdar is very skillful in the art of getting money,
and who should understand the art if not the minister of finance? He
will find means to collect from the ulemas, from the rich sheiks,
and from the merchants, money enough to quiet his rebellious troops.
A week is a long period, and he will find means to satisfy them all.
But, after a few days, the terrible intelligence reaches Cousrouf
pacha: Taher Pacha is defeated; the stronghold Migne has been
captured by the Mameluke beys. Taher Pacha is defeated, and is
returning with his army-corps to Cairo!
"He shall not come, he must not come!" cried the viceroy, angrily.
"No, he must not come; as it is, we have rebellious soldiers enough
here now. They would unite with Taher's troops, and clamor for pay
again. And our coffers are empty. Send messengers to meet the
advancing troops, with instructions to General Taher to march with
his corps to Tantah, and there await further orders. In any case, I
forbid him to return here to Cairo. Is my capital to be made a camp?
Is it merely an immense barrack in which these insolent fellows are
to puff themselves up and do violence to all honest and respectable
people? It is enough to have to tolerate Mohammed Ali and his men
here. Taher Pacha shall not unite with them. Quick, dispatch the
messengers at once!"
The messengers, in accordance with the viceroy's instructions,
hastened forth in the direction from which Taher must come.
Pages:
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518