Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-26
An Egyptian Execution.
Alexandria Correspondence (JlGIy 2s) Neto Yorl
HossuIH

Alexandria Correspondence (JlEIy 2s) Ne,O York
Herald.
AS 1 was driving this morning to the
Ras-el-Tin Palsce | met Major French,
of the Royal marines, and about thirty
Egyptian policemen, each with
a blue ribbon tied about the left arm as a
sign of loyalty to the Khedive. Behind
these policemen were three Egyptians hand
cuffed and being led along by ropes tied
but long blue gowns-the gGli6ict--and the
middle Egyptian strongly resembled Barab.
bas as represented in the Ober-Ammergau
Passion Play. Behind the three Egyptians
was carriage containing a physician-Dr.
LondiDski-and three attendants. told the
driver OF my carriage to follow the process
sion in order to see an Egyptian execution,
and also to see how the Arab population of
Alexandria would behave when tSev saw
one of their brethren shot by Egyptian sol
dters at the dictation Of an English subAl-
tern.
The procession passed through all the
streets of Alexandria, and before we had
proceeded quarter of mile we were fol-
lowed by about six hundred Arabs. In the
Rue des SBurs-where the famous massacre
OF Europeans commenced last month, and
where the principal malefactor at the head
OF our procession was proved by the Mixed
Police Tribunal to have murdered at least
three Europeans-We made short halt Pro
ceeding again to the Place des Consver, and
marching through the Boulevard de Ramleh.
we passed through the Eastern Gate.
and arrived at Pompey's Pillar, where
another short halt was made. We
then marched through the small
Arab village of Carmoos, and
arriving at hollow among the Roman cat
acombs we found newly made grave. The
principal malefactor-the man who resem-
bled Barabbas-wss then blindfolded and
forced to stand at the end of the grave that
had been dug for him. At the English sub
altern's direction five Egyptian gendarmes
to within ten PAGES Of the man
condemned to death. The other two crimi-
nails, who had been convicted of stealing,
were made to stand facing the grave SO that
they could best appreciate the example that
was about to be offered them. The five
Egyptian gen1armes leveled their Remino-
ton rifles at the man sentenced to death.
But at the command "Firel'' from
their Sergeant the hammers of their
rifles simply clicked upon the cartridges.
which turned out to be damp and
useless. After delay of five minutes
which must have seemed like five hours to
the malefactor-new cartridges were nh
tained aud the five gendarmes again lev.
eled their rifes-~but with the same result.
The cartridges turned out to be spoiled.
New cartridges were then distributed, The
command, "Fire" was third time given.
And for the third time there was onlv q click
in the pan, and the wretched malefaetor
still stood at the head Of his grave trembling
with suspense. New cartridges were then
obtained from the magazlne-about a mile
distant, and now for the fourth time the five
Egyptian gendarmes advanced, aimed their
rifles at the unfortunate devil, and at the
command "Firei"a rattling report was heard
and the convict fell into his grave. The doc
tor stepped forward and found that he had
only been hit by two bullets-one tearing
through his cheek, and the other making a
hole in his leg. The man was now pulled
out of his grave and propped up SO that he
could be again shot at. In the meantime
he begged and implored for somebody tn
come and run bsyonet through his heart.
The five Egyptian gendarmes, however.
again advanced. this time to within about
eight PAGES OF their target, and for the fifth
time the command was given to fire. The
result of this fusilade was that he was
riddled with bullets, not one Of which. how
ever, had struck him in vital spot, and the
man was still writhing In the dust, covered
with streams of blood. The Sergeant of
gendarmes then came forward. put
the muzzle Of his rifle to the
pnor wretch's ear, pulled the trigger
and the cartridge happening to be
good one, the mans head was blown to
pieces. just as the remains of the convict
were being buried a man quite near me
shouted In Arabic, "Now is the time to KIN
more Christians!" Looking around me
found that besides three English officers, a
Few newspaper correspondents and some
dozen European spectators, the whole
assembly, of perhaps q thousand persons,
were all Arabs. There was no EUglish post
within the distance Of half mile. A Young
employe of the Eastern telegraph Company
promptly collared the Arab who had
uttered the dangerous cry and the gendarmes
took him In charge, and, together with the
two thieves who mad been brought out to
witness the execution, he was handcuffed
and marched to the police station in Alexan-
dria.