On my return to Cairo I learned by telegraph that intelligence of importance had arrived at Alexandria, which required my immediate presence; this put an end to all the projects we had formed of further exploring this interesting country, and next morning we bad adieu to Cairo and its wonders, and soon found ourselves steaming down the broad Nile, with the current in our favour, but a strong northerly wind right in our teeth. CHAPTER VII. Letter from Captain Stewart—Apprehended Treachery of the Turkish Authorities—Question of the Syrian Troops—Double dealing of Mehemet Ali—The Author’s Letters to the chief British and Turkish Officers—Letter to the Admiral. Halfway down the river I met Colonel Napier, with the following letter from Captain Stewart, who had come to Gaza to prevent, if possible, a collision between the Turks and the Egyptians. “Gaza, January 25, 1841, Monday, 1½h., P.M. “My dear Commodore, “I arrived here with Colonel Rose and Rechid Pacha about an hour ago, in the Hecate. “We have been induced to come, from the suspicions and jealousies entertained by the Turks, _* * *_ of the intentions of Ibrahim Pacha, in concentrating such a formidable force in this place. “The Turks have advanced all their forces on Jerusalem, Hebron, and Medjdel, and we become somewhat anxious that _* *_ would bring on a collision. “They assure us here, that the retirement shall be commenced to-morrow morning, by two regiments of cavalry and two more in the afternoon; and we send this news back to Jaffa, which will keep all right and safe. “But the point of the Syrian conscripts being allowed to remain in their own country, is one of great difficulty and great importance, inasmuch as the Turks have received positive and late instructions to insist upon it. Achmet Pacha, (who commands here,) says, he will restore them the moment he receives the order. Meantime a list of those who may be in the first retiring regiments is to be given to me, and so soon as leave for the Syrians to remain arrives, every one of them shall be returned. “Rechid Pacha assures us that Mehemet Ali gave his word of honour to the Turkish Commissioners at Alexandria, that they should all be permitted to leave the Egyptian ranks previous to passing the frontiers; and it is to obtain this order, without a moment’s loss of time, that I send off the steamers. I beg of you to return the authority by the quickest _possible conveyance_, be it Hecate or any other already coaled. The Turks attach great importance to this article. They are now in force as well of cavalry as of infantry, all the cavalry from the north having joined, _* * *_ * * * * * *