I thank you once more for your advice, Mohammed,
and I shall always remember that you are the shrewdest and most
faithful of all those who surround me--you perceive, I no longer
say, of my servants. Let me say, as I most gladly do, Mohammed Ali--
let me say, the most faithful of my friends! Does that please you?"
Mohammed replied with a profound bow only, and then silently
withdrew.
The hour had not yet passed, and his soldiers waited peaceably, as
he had commanded them. The Nubian slave of the viceroy followed his
horse, carrying the ten purses of gold-pieces. The general
dismounted at the door of the palace, and waited till the slave had
come up and taken the golden treasure into his house. Mohammed then
went to the grand hall and sent word down by a servant, that a
deputation of twenty-two of his men were to come up to him. The
sarechsme received them standing beside a table, on which lay the
ten purses of gold pieces. He greeted them cordially.
"I saw the viceroy in your behalf, and begged for your pay. I was
told that the week had not yet expired, and that you should wait.
The viceroy, however, my soldiers, paid me the salary due me. They
had forgotten to pay my salary ever since I have been in Egypt; it
has therefore now become a considerable sum. I have received ten
purses of gold, and I am really in need of this money to meet my
household expenses.
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