In the evening I returned to D’Jounie, bringing back the marine battalion, perfectly satisfied, as were all who accompanied me, that Acre presented no difficulties that could not be overcome, when the proper time arrived for attacking it. -------------- CHAPTER X. Osman Pacha defeated by the Emir Bechir Cassim at Merouba—Proposed Attack on Beyrout—Correspondence with Sir Robert Stopford—Letter from the Emir Bechir Cassim—Letters to Lords Minto and Palmerston—Visit to the Encampment of the Emir Bechir Cassim—Comfortless quarters at Argentoun—Return—Preparations for the Attack of Beyrout. I was much pleased, on my return, to find the Emir Bechir Cassim, taking advantage of Ibrahim having weakened his forces before Merouba, had attacked Osman Pacha, defeated him, taken between 400 and 500 prisoners, and obliged him to retire on Basquinta, at the head of the Nahr-el-Kelb. It now became absolutely necessary to act with vigour, and I again brought Beyrout under the Admiral’s consideration, and was glad to find he approved of it, and he wrote to me as follows:— “October 5, 1840. “My dear Commodore, “This Emir is a capital fellow, and has done good service. In a conversation I had with the Pacha yesterday he thought it would much facilitate the fall of Beyrout if the passes in the adjoining hills could be cleared, to allow the mountaineers to come down, who he says are all armed. “In furtherance of the object of attacking Beyrout I shall go there in the afternoon, after embarking our marines, and those of the Edinburgh and Hastings, in a steamer; these men will have to embark all their various concerns, as it will be unnecessary to land them here again. “I am sorry to say we have now 100 sick on board, mostly our own men. “The Pacha wishes to come to Beyrout; he had better embark with Walker Bey, and be towed up, and the Turkish flag ought to be displayed. “I may, perhaps, pound Beyrout to-morrow, but the attack on shore will wait your arrival. There are fully 3000 men outside the town, with 20 field pieces. “Your’s very truly, “ROBERT STOPFORD.” “To Commodore Napier.” This looked like business, and I lost no time in replying as follows; an opportunity offering, I also wrote to Lords Minto and Palmerston:— “Powerful, October 5, 1840. “My dear Admiral,