He was a Scotchman born, and
when very young, being then a drummer-boy, he landed in Egypt with
Fraser's force.
He was taken prisoner, and according to Mahometan
custom, the alternative of death or the Koran was offered to him;
he did not choose death, and therefore went through the ceremonies
which were necessary for turning him into a good Mahometan. But
what amused me most in his history was this, that very soon after
having embraced Islam he was obliged in practice to become curious
and discriminating in his new faith, to make war upon Mahometan
dissenters, and follow the orthodox standard of the Prophet in
fierce campaigns against the Wahabees, who are the Unitarians of
the Mussulman world. The Wahabees were crushed, and Osman
returning home in triumph from his holy wars, began to flourish in
the world. He acquired property, and became effendi, or gentleman.
At the time of my visit to Cairo he seemed to be much respected by
his brother Mahometans, and gave pledge of his sincere alienation
from Christianity by keeping a couple of wives. He affected the
same sort of reserve in mentioning them as is generally shown by
Orientals. He invited me, indeed, to see his harem, but he made
both his wives bundle out before I was admitted. He felt, as it
seemed to me, that neither of them would bear criticism, and I
think that this idea, rather than any motive of sincere jealousy,
induced him to keep them out of sight.
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