Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. loj
the distance of time which elapsed after these poor wretches had
surrendered, and which furnished a fit opportunity for cooi reflec-
tion, and the distance of the spot to which they were led, at least
a league from the place of their captivity, manifest a spirit of dia-
bolical revenge, of atrocious tyranny, which, for the honour of
human nature, it is to be trusted, will never recur on any future oc-
casion, among civilized and enlightened nations, to blacken the page
of history, and to sully the military character. The surface of the
ground had been some time before thickly covered with the skeletons
of the victims; but at the time of visit my they were much
reduced in number, the Grand Vizier having ordered a large hole
to be dug, into which as many as could be well collected were
thrown. Skulls, bones, remnants of clothing, &c. Sec. were still.,
notwithstanding, scattered over every part of the hillocks.
Inconsequence of an invitation from the Grand Vizier to General
Koehler and officers, to be spectators of the skill and dexterity
of
the Turkish soldiers in the use of their sabres, we assembled, on
the 11th, in front of his Highness's tent.
A caouk, or turban, being placed on a stool, the Turks cut at it
with their sabres. Those who made the deepest cuts were immedi-
ately rewarded with several sequins, which hands of the Vizier.
they
received from the
As the turban was composed of a mixture of wool and cotton,
no little adroitness and
covered over with thick cloth, it required
dexterity to penetrate into its substance by
a blow of the sabre.
Such, however, was the effect of practice, that the impressions
made by the Turkish soldiers were very deep.
Letters were received on the 13th from Captain Lacij, who was
arrived at El-Arish, and had experienced a flattering reception. In
the I evening took a ride along the sea side, and saw several jackals,
which abound in this part of the world.
On the 14th the Turks began to
dig in the environs of Jaffa, to
prepare the ground for the erection of several works for the better
defence of the place, under the direction of Colonel llolloway.
It was at this time reported, that the plague raged with great
vio-
lence among the Mamelukes, in consequence of which strict orders
were given by the General to avoid all communication with them.
Monsieur Franchini, a Russian agent, lay dangerously ill of the
plague at Jaffa,
In. the course of the night we were much alarmed by the cir-
into our tent» On
cumstance, of a stranger having found fys way