"If they could only get over," said some of the people, with a sigh.
"There are shallow places, here and there, where a passage would be
easy."
Youssouf's manner was careless and indifferent, but nothing escaped
him. No one read in his countenance the fearful danger to which he
was exposed, and he passed the entire day strolling around in
Damietta. But, when night came, he hastened to the canal, and tried
the places casually mentioned during the day. He finally attempted
to cross over at the place spoken of as the most shallow.
And he has succeeded! There he stands on the other bank, dripping
with water, his wet blouse clinging to his person. He hastened to
the camp to Bardissi, to bring the glad intelligence that there is a
place where they can cross on foot to the other shore in spite of
the cannon on the bridge, and of the garrison of Damietta.
"Well done, brave kachef!" cried Bardissi. "You have deserved your
reward, and you shall have it! I appoint you kachef of my guard, and
give you a command of one hundred Mamelukes."
Youssouf's countenance lighted up, and his eyes sparkled with
delight. He thought of Sitta Nefysseh, and rejoiced in his
successful feat, and 'in his reward, because she would be pleased.
"O Sitta Nefysseh, when I come into your presence, and kneel down
before you, will you receive me graciously, and permit me to remain
with you henceforth? O Sitta Nefysseh, if the time were only come
when on bended knee I can say to you: 'Your servant has returned,
but he is no longer a poor kachef! He has won laurels because you
commanded him to seek them! May he now serve you again?' Oh, that I
were with you again, Sitta Nefysseh!"
On the following night they were conducted by Youssouf to the place
at which he had forded the canal.
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