They Declare That
Napoleon Parted From His Horse, Got Thoroughly Submerged, And Was
Only Fished Out By The Assistance Of The People On Shore.
I bathed twice at the point assigned to the passage of the
Israelites, and the second time that I
Did so I chose the time of
low water and tried to walk across, but I soon found myself out of
my depth, or at least in water so deep, that I could only advance
by swimming.
The dromedary, which had bolted in the Desert, was brought into
Suez the day after my arrival, but my pelisse and my pistols, which
had been attached to the saddle, had disappeared. These articles
were treasures of great importance to me at that time, and I moved
the Governor of the town to make all possible exertions for their
recovery. He acceded to my wishes as well as he could, and very
obligingly imprisoned the first seven poor fellows he could lay his
hands on.
At first the Governor acted in the matter from no other motive than
that of courtesy to an English traveller, but afterwards, and when
he saw the value which I set upon the lost property, he pushed his
measures with a degree of alacrity and heat, which seemed to show
that he felt a personal interest in the matter. It was supposed
either that he expected a large present in the event of succeeding,
or that he was striving by all means to trace the property, in
order that he might lay his hands on it after my departure.
I went out sailing for some hours, and when I returned I was
horrified to find that two men had been bastinadoed by order of the
Governor, with a view to force them to a confession of their theft.
It appeared, however, that there really was good ground for
supposing them guilty, since one of the holsters was actually found
in their possession. It was said too (but I could hardly believe
it), that whilst one of the men was undergoing the bastinado, his
comrade was overheard encouraging him to bear the torment without
peaching. Both men, if they had the secret, were resolute in
keeping it, and were sent back to their dungeon. I of course took
care that there should be no repetition of the torture, at least so
long as I remained at Suez.
The Governor was a thorough Oriental, and until a comparatively
recent period had shared in the old Mahometan feeling of contempt
for Europeans. It happened however, one day that an English gun-
brig had appeared off Suez, and sent her boats ashore to take in
fresh water. Now fresh water at Suez is a somewhat scarce and
precious commodity: it is kept in tanks, the chief of which is at
some distance from the place. Under these circumstances the
request for fresh water was refused, or at all events, was not
complied with. The captain of the brig was a simple-minded man
with a strongish will, and he at once declared that if his casks
were not filled in three hours, he would destroy the whole place.
"A great people indeed!" said the Governor; "a wonderful people,
the English!" He instantly caused every cask to be filled to the
brim from his own tank, and ever afterwards entertained for the
English a degree of affection and respect, for which I felt
infinitely indebted to the gallant captain.
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