The New Hampshire Gazette

An INCIDENT upon the NILE-
From Sonini's Travels in Egypt.

Among the persons that the Reis had taken on board, were four blackguards, who had deserted from the army. Delighted at having escaped the fatigues of war, their insolence knew no bounds. Having learned that we were Europeans, they more particularly directed against us, their insults and outrage. I was determined to have them punished at the first town off which we should stop; but having reached Mellavoui in the night, I was obliged to submit with patience. The four vagabonds continued to rail at us all the next day; they carried their audacity so far as to strike two of my companions, who on their part, were not slow in returning the blows. A battle ensued, and the noise reaching me, I ran up with my saber in my hand, and with the flat of it applied several strokes to the shoulders of the aggressors. They immediately desisted, but it was an universal cry in the boat, "an infidel strike a Musulman." This was an unpardonable crime, which was to draw immediate death upon my guilty head; and the crew talked of throwing me into the river. The reis, instead of appeasing the tumult, was as fanatical as the rest, and the loudest in his vociferations. I retired with my companions to the cabin which we occupied, where we barricadoed ourselves in the best manner we could, in expectation of being attacked. But the fire arms, with which we were well provided, appeared to our adversaries sufficiently formidable to keep them at bay, and they satisfied themselves with murmuring and concerting revenge.

The vessel having put into Miniet, the reis immediately landed with a score of passengers, and ran to the kiaschef to complain that I had the assurance to strike a muulman. These malicious people took care to relate, and misrepresent the circumstance to every person they met. The populace of Miniet collected; groups of barbarous fanatics called for the head of the dog, who had insulted a favorite of Mahomet. I had dispatched my two Egyptian domestics after the reis that they might observe what passed. They returned to inform me of the ferment that the accusation of the reis produced among the people. They had entered the court of the Kiaschef's house, where a clamorous mob were calling for vengeance; and had heard that it was intended I should be punished with the bastinade on the soles of the feet. According to their account, I had not a moment to lose; they said I must immediately conceal myself, or make my escape. Not being disposed to adopt either of these plans, I took a step altogether contrary. I resolved to face the danger, and in order to avert it, to present myself openly. I immediately quitted the bark with one of my people, and my dress prevented me from being recognized. We passed through several streets; every where we heard conversation, respecting a Frank, who had beaten a Musulman. Having reached the house of the kiaschef, I pushed through the crowd, who little suspected that the person about whom they were talking was in the midst of them. At length I got close to the kiaschef, who was surrounded by a great number of people. The reis and my other accusers were the nearest to him, and they soon pointed me out to the commandant "It is thou, then," said the kiaschef, to me in the most angry voice, "who hast dared to strike a faithful Musulman!" "Pay no attention" answered I, in a firm tone, "to the silly clamors of these ignorant fellahs, to which for the honor of a valiant Mamaluk, thou hast already listened too long. Thou art the slave of Murad Bey; thou knowest that I am his friend; I have matters of the utmost importance to communicate to thee from him, and to which I beg thou wilt attend." I immediately approached him, and pretending to whisper, I slipped into his hand a few sequins, which I held in mine for that purpose.

The kiaschef, who had raised himself a little from his cushion to listen to me, again resumed his seat, and darted at the reis the most menacing looks. "Knowest thou," said he, in a feigned, or at least, a purchased rage "the consequence of a Frank?" He then proceeded with a long absurd dissertation on the virtues and power of the Franks, respecting whom he was perfectly ignorant. The reis attempted to reply, but the kiaschef, rose up and gave him a box on the ear, and afterwards ordered him to be caned. In an instant, the ignorant mob, stupidly fitted for despotism, after having looked upon me as an atrocious criminal, dispersed, praising the justice of the Kiaschef's extolling the good qualities of the Franks.