The Sheik El Balad next led his troops to Rama, which was carried fword in hand; and this fuccefs raised the hopes of his partizans, and made them confident they should re-enter Grand Cairo triumphant. Ali had conftantly kept up a correfpondence with the chiefs of the Janiffaries, whofe power in the capital is great; and his promises, and the averfion the avarice of Abou Dahab inspired, determined them openly to efpouse his caufe, and demand his recal. They wrote him word he might return, and they would defend his interests. This news gave him great joy; he communicated it to his friends, and prepared for Egypt. Sheik Daher was of a contrary opinion, and advised him to wait the promised aid of Ruffia, foment diffenfion among the Beys, make himself more certain of the temper of the troops, and neither lightly hazard his fortune nor his life. These prudent counfels were not followed: Ali, impatient to return to Grand Cairo, and humble his foes, thought himself marching to victory. Collecting the garrifons of the conquered towns, and raifing contributions, he arrived at Gaza the 21st of March, and left it the 4th of April, 1773. M 4 His His whole cavalry confifted of two thoufand men, and two hundred and fifty Mam-luks. Three thoufand four hundred Mograbi compofed his infantry. Tentaoui, Kalil, Latif, Haffan, Abderrohman, Mourad, Selim. Aga, and Soliman Kiaya, of the janiffaries, were the only remaining Beys. Six hundred and fixty horfe, commanded by the fon and fon-in-law of Sheik Daher, joined this finall army; the amount of which was fix thoufand three hundred men. Abou Dahab had fent twelve thoufand men to Salakia, a town on the ifthmus of Suez, to impede Ali's march; which troops immediately advanced, at his approach, in order of battle. The Sheik El Balad ftaid not to hefitate, but fell like lightning upon them, fighting, fabre in hand, at the head of the Mamluks, who, encouraged by his prefence, carried death throughout the ranks. The enemy food this terrible fhock four hours; at last, being every where broken, they fled to the deferts, leaving a great number dead on the field. This glorious victory animated the fmall army of Ali, who, led by fo brave a chief, thought themselves inProfiting by their ardour, he vincible. marched marched directly for Grand Cairo, where the fugitives fpread the news of their defeat, and his approach... Abou Dahab affembled the Beys of his faction, and the heads of the people, to whom he thus fpake. "Valiant chiefs of the Republic, and you Egyptians, who cherish the law of our prophet, you are acquainted with Ali. He is a Christian in his heart, has allied himself to infidels, and wishes to conquer that he may extirpate the religion of Mahomet, and force you to embrace Christianity. Recollect what the Europeans have done in India. The muffulmen of thofe rich countries welcomed them kindly, received them in their ports, granted them counting houfes, and formed treaties of trade with them. What was the confequence? Chriftians have ravaged their provinces, deftroyed their cities, conquered. their kingdoms, and, after reducing them to flavery, have established idolatry on the ruins of the true religion (i). A fimilar fate at-tends you, faithful muffulmen. Allied with Europeans, Ali will overthrow your government, lay Egypt open to infidels, and force (i) The Mahometans call us idolaters, becaufe, unable to comprehend our mysteries, they fay we worship feveral Gods. you you to become Chriftians. Affift me to repel the enemy of the republic, of the laws, of Islamism, or expect all the evils which your brethren of Bengal have endured: chufe between him and me." So ending, Abou Dahab pretended to retire and abdicate the dignity of Sheik El Balad; but the audience univerfally denounced curfes on the head of Ali, and promised to fhed their laft drop of blood in the common cause. Abou Dahab, profiting by the enthufiasm of the moment, proclaimed, throughout the city, that whoever loved his religion ai:d country must take arms; and, before night, twenty thousand men enlifted under his banner; at the head of which army he immediately departed, to attack his enemy. The janiffaries, faithful to their promise, refused to follow, and tranquilly waited the fuccefs of the battle. This was an unexpected event to Ali, who, informed that Abou Dahab was advancing with an army thrice as numerous as his own, abandoned himself to despair, and fell dangerously ill. He was advised to return to St. John d'Acre, but he declared he would die rather than retreat a step. The and The 13th of April, 1773, the army from Grand Cairo came in fight of his camp, he arranged his troops in order of battle. Sheik Lebi and Sheik Crim commanded the left wing, Tentaoui the right, and his infantry occupied the centre. These prudent difpofitions made, he exhorted his chiefs to fight valiantly, and ordered himself to be carried into his tent, for he was fo weak he could not fit on horfeback. The battle began about eleven in the morning; both charged with fury, and, notwithstanding the inferiority of Ali's forces, they, at firft, had the advantage. Sheik Lebi and Sheik Crim gloriously repulfed the Egyptian cavalry; and Tentaoui and his brave Mamluks overthrew all before them. Victory had declared for Ali when the Mograbi, mercenary troops, who always fight for the luft of gain, corrupted by the magnificent promises of Abou Dahab, went over to his fide, and the face of fortune was changed. The flying rallied, and, having only three thousand men to encounter, furrounded them on all fides, and made great flaughter. The generous Tentaoui could not furvive the defeat, He pierced the thickeft fquadrons, and fell, co |