6

It was plain, under these circumstances, that Egypt, with so
many clashing interests to reconcile, would gain but little im-
mediate benefit in its internal tranquillity from the expulsion of
the French ; but none ventured to predict from what quarter the
first explosion would come: and, to the equal surprise of all
parties, the summary and decided measures adopted in concert
by the Grand Vezir and Captain Pasha, in the month of
October, became the signal to all the horrors and atrocities that
have since deluged the plains of Egypt with the blood of Turks,
Mamalukes, Arabs, and Albanians.

The Beys in Cairo, being on a visit of ceremony to the Vezir,
were informed that they were no longer at liberty to return home,
and that there they must wait as prisoners till the further pleasure
of the Sultan should be known. Resistance was in vain ; they
submitted, and no blood was shed.

The others, who had now joined the Captain Pasha, were
tempted, by his artful expressions of the tenderest concern for
their welfare, to trust themselves in boats for the purpose of
being conveyed on board a corvette, which Avas to carry them
to Alexandria on a visit to the British commander. When at
some distance from shore they discovered the snare that had
been laid for them; saw that their destruction was determined
on, and refused to go on board the corvette. A short engage-
ment took place between them and the Turks to whose care
they had been committed. Some of the principal Beys and
CashifYs fell the victims of this deliberate act of treachery ; the
rest escaped by swimming to shore, more or less wounded.

This extraordinary outrage, committed so near the English
camp, and upon persons whose security was under the double
guarantee of the laws of hospitality and of English faith, could
not fail to rouse the resentment of the British general, who, in the

most