"
And large numbers did so, many fearing, no doubt, the decision
expected from Stamboul.
But Mohammed was undaunted, and besieged the citadel of Cairo with
his faithful Albanians.
The bloody struggle arose between the besiegers and the besieged.
The cannon thundered death and destruction into the city, and, when
vigorous sorties occurred, the conflict sometimes surged far down
into the streets. But finally, after four days of fierce fighting,
the expected message arrived from Stamboul, and an unexpected one it
proved to be, to the viceroy, Courschid Pacha.
The grand-vizier had sent one of his confidants with the capidgi
bashi, with instructions to investigate, and make himself thoroughly
acquainted with the state of things, and learn who was right, and
who wrong; and the capidgi, and his associate, had done so; and now,
upon their arrival in Cairo, they summoned the cadi and sheiks, and
announced to them, and to Mohammed Ali, the firman of the grand-
sultan: "Mohammed Ali is confirmed in his office of Governor of
Cairo and Viceroy of Egypt; and the deposed viceroy, Courschid
Pacha, is ordered to repair to Alexandria, there to await the
further orders of his master."
A copy of this firman is sent up to the citadel, and Courschid
commanded to surrender the fortress, and leave the city immediately.
He at first declined to surrender, and demanded an interview with
the capidgi bashi and his associate.
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