TEE SLAVE-DEALERS' OATH. 227 second day there were signs of a fight between the soldiers and besingers. The latter were all drawn up for the purpose of inspection, and also— though they did not know it— to be disarmed. The order was given for them to lay down their arms, this order they refused, and a tumultuous scene followed. For half an hour things looked very black indeed, but the presence of Europeans somewhat quieted the besingers, for we gave the officers some good advice, and so managed to preserve the peace.

Eizgallah, who had been a petty sandjak of Suleiman's, and had taken the oath under the " tree," was there, and Saati Efifendi was anxious about Eizgallah's course of action. Gessi Pasha had pardoned him on account of some services he had rendered to the government ; but he was not trustworthy, and indeed Saati Effendi considered that until all the men who had sworn with Sebehr were killed, there would be danger of the revolt breaking out afresh. Before Sebehr went down to Cairo he assembled his sandjaks under a large tree a mile or two from Shaka, and gave them directions as to what they were to do in case he was detained in Cairo. The plan for the revolt which afterwards took place was matured there, and his followers bound themselves by an oath to follow out his instructions and obey his son Suleiman. Events turned out as he had anticipated, he being kept in Cairo, so he sent word to these men to " put into q2