fortune. This melancholy event had created a general consternation in the town, which the runaways had augmented, and the gates of Cairo were kept open all the night to receive them. A second pigeon bearing the news of the victory over the French, had restored tranquillity to the capital. Joy succeeded sorrow ; and each congratulated the other on this happy turn of affairs, and pnblio rejoicings were made. When Touran-Chah heard of the death of his father, Nedjm-Eddin, he set out from Huns-Keifa.* It was the 15th of the moon Ramadan when he departed, attended by only fifty horsemen, and he arrived at Damascus toward the end of that moon. After receiving the homage of all the governors of the towns in Syria, he set out on a Wednesday, the 27th day of the moon Chewal, and took the road to Egypt. The news of his arrival raised the courage of the Mussulmen. The death of Nedjm-Eddin had not yet been publicly announced : the service of the sultan was performed as usual : his officers prepared his table as if he had been alive, and every order was given in his name. The sultana governed the kingdom, and found, in her own mind, resources for alL The moment she heard of Touran-Chah'β arrival, she waited on him, and laid aside the sovereign command, to invest him with it This prince was anxious to appear at the head of his troops, and set out for Mansoura, where he arrived on the 5th of the moon Zilkadé (Feb. 8). Boats sent from Damietta brought all sorts of provision to the French camp, and kept it abundantly supplied. The Nile was now at its greatest heightt Touran-Chah caused many boats to be built, which, when taken to pieces, he placed on the backs of camels, and had them thus carried to the canal of Méhalé, when they were put together again, launched on the canal, and filled with troops for an ambuscade. As soon as the French fleet of boats appeared at the mouth of the canal of Méhalé, the Mussulmen quitted their hidingplace, and attacked them. While the two fleets were * A town of Diarbekir, on the banks of the Tigris. t How could Makriai say the Nile was at its greatest height when it was only the 8th of February ? and this river is never in that state but in the month of September. The date is exact, and agrees with Joinville, who notices this same event happening on the Shrove-Tuesday.