histle uttered the
well-known call along the decks. Round came the ship, and when the eyes
of those on board were turned to the south, not an indication could be
discovered of the ship which had thus far led them in the chase.

"We'll keep her off and on during the night," said the captain to the
first lieutenant.

"At daylight we will stand in, and see what has become of her. There is
little doubt, however, that she has gone on shore. I trust, as there is
not much sea on, that the people will contrive to save themselves."

At this time the Sultan of Turkey was running a great risk of losing the
greater part if not the whole of his dominions. Mehemet Ali was one of
the most remarkable men who have appeared in the East during this
century. Although of the lowest origin and unable to read, having
become a soldier, he raised himself by his talents and intrigues to the
highest rank in the Turkish army. Being sent to Egypt, he deposed the
ruler of that province, and became pacha in his stead. He even showed
that he allowed no sentimental scruples to prevent him from
accomplishing any object on which he had set his heart. Believing that
the Mamelukes might be as troublesome to him as they had often proved to
the Sultan, he invited 500 of them to a feast, and then had all of them
murdered with the exception of one, who escaped by leaping his horse
over a high wall. The idea was simple and very oriental. He might have
made them his friends, but he thought that might be too difficult a
task, so he chose the other alternative. Now Mehemet Ali thought that
it would be much pleasanter to be an independent sovereign than a
tributary to the Porte, so he threw off the Turkish yoke. Then he
thought that he might as well rule over Syria also, and he accordingly
marched his army there and took possession of the country. His ambition
increased with his conquests, and at last he resolved, if he could, to
mount the throne of the caliphs. He was backed up in all his
proceedings by the French, who knew that if he succeeded they might
easily take possession of Egypt on some excuse or other; while the
Russians were well pleased to let him play his game, because they knew
that the Sultan might call them in to his assistance, and thus they
might get hold of Constantinople. The Egyptian army in Syria was
commanded by Ibrahim Pacha, the adopted son of Mehemet Ali. He advanced
his victorious standard to within a short distance of C