"My dear Albert," said he, "let me introduce
to you M. Maximilian Morrel, captain of Spahis, my friend;
and what is more -- however the man speaks for himself ---my
preserver. Salute my hero, viscount."

spahi or spahee
n.
5Fr < Turk sipahi < Pers: see SEPOY6
1 a member of a corps of Turkish professional cavalry
2 a member of a corps of native Algerian cavalry in the French armed forces