Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-01-19


was a loving, pathetic look in her
beautiful eyes which went to my heart
and whenever thought of it afterwards
made me alternately wretched and ex-
ultant.
CHAPTER XII,
On reporting myself to the admiral at
Portsmouth was ordered to proceed to
sea with all despatch, join the blockad-
| ing squadron off Alexandra, and place
myself at the disposal of Commodore Sir
| Sidney Smith, who, by virtue of a treaty
| just concluded with the sultan, had
been appointed to the supreme COM
maDd of the Turkish fleet in Levantinc
| waters and all the land. forces of the
porte in Egypt and Syria.
Bonaparte's unprovoked invasion of
these countries had excited great indig-
nation in Europe, and above all in Eng
land, the traditional enemy of French
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and ambition. In this
| instance, at least, the indignation was
fully warranted. Without rhyme or
reason, or even plausible excuse. with
out even declaring war against Turkey,
the directory had sent an army and a
feet to Egypt under command of Bona
parte, who had taken possession Of the
| country, slaughtered thousands of it's
people, and wrought havoc and untold
misery wherever he appeared.
Nelson had destroyed the fleet at the
glorious battle of the Nile, and so de-
prived Bonaparte of the means of re-
turning to France with his army. Most
generals in his position would have
thrown up the sponge, but Bonaparte
was general hors ligre. Dislike the
man though you may, you cannot help
adrniring the grandeur of his ideas and
the energy with which ne carried them
into effect. Cut off from France, and
finding it impossible or inexpedient to
remain in Egypt, he marched into
Syria, intending, when he had con-
quered that country, to raise and or
ganize an army of Arabs and either in
wade India or conquer Turkey.
1t was to prevent the contamination
of this design, and, if possible, destroy
or capture Bonaparte and his army, that
the British government had formed an
alliance with the sultan and sent Sir
Sidney Smith to the Levant. He was
one of the most enterprising naval of
ficers of his time; and reclsoncd it as
piece Of good fortune that l should
have to serve under SO distinguished
commander.
liked my ship and liked ray crew.
/ was so delighted with my promotion
and prospects that / should not have
quarreled with them though the Kan
CARGO had been been old and leaky and
the hands mutinous and incompetent.
But the brig was we'll found and good
sailer, and by the time we made the
Egyptian coast my ships company was
as smart and well disciplined as any in
his majesty's service
On reaching the rendezvous went on
board the flag ship to report myself and
deliver the letters and dispatches had
brought with me from England.
Sir Sidney Smith, who prided himself
on his politeness and savoir faire, re-
ceived ne smiling. He was thirty-fve,
very good-looking-dark hair and eyes,
face full of fire and energy-and a
naval dandy.
$50 you know Arabic?" he observed,
after reading his letter.
"a little" answered, modcstly; for,
though had succeeded in humbugging
Admiral Jones, it would not have been
safe to attempt anything of that sort
with Commodore Smith.
"a little! They tell me you know it
thoroughly"
''They are too fattering. know just
enough to enable me to read the Ian
guage with difficulty and ask r1y way
about; but I dare say little practice
will give me q sufficient command of
the language to speak it with ease"
''That is all / want; and the sooner
you begin the better. You must sail
for Acre within the hour. Capt. Miller,
of the Theseus, and Col. Phclippeaux
are already there. / shall follow with
the Tiger and some gunboats tomorrow
Or the next day. Bonaparte has taken
Ell Arish and Jaffa, and if we let him
take Acre he will be the master of Asia
Minor"
$50! He has taken Jafia?"
eyes, and plundered the inhabitants
to the bone, and slaughtered four thou
sand Of the garrison in cold blood. after
they had surrendered He could not
spare troops to guard them or food to
keep them. and he knew that if he let
them go they would join old Djezzar at
horrible - that man is disgrace to
ClN1tAZdGlOA OuG ~ WI A1SAk 10 AAAA
mensely."
''Help US! Howe"
Don't you see? By setting every
body against him and making the
Turks desperate. Better die sword in
hand thans surrender only to be shot,
they will say. Those poor devils he
killed ct Jaffa will fight against him at
Acre, and more potently than if they |
were alive. And, now, about Ahmed |
Djezzar Pasha, with whom, owing to |
your knowledge Of Arabic, you are like |
" to be brought good deal in contact. |
Djezzar. as you know, means butcher
That describes him, but only partially. |
He is as brave as lion, as cruel as a |
tiger. and as crafty as fox. He thinks
no more of slicing off mans head than |
your boatswain thinks of ropes ending |
a powder monkey. and dare say has
taken as many lives in his time as this |
damned Bonaparte, and that is saying |
q good deal A few years ago Djezzar
went TO Mecca with the grand caravan |
of pilgrims, leaving in charge of the
city and government his favorite Soil /
man. Well. one day during the pasha's
absence Soliman happened to catch
sight of one of Djezzar's wives. Cir
cassian Of great beauty, and fell in love
with her, pretty much, imagine, as
King David fell in love with the wife OF
Uriah the Hittite, killed two or three
eunuchs, broke into the harem, and