Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/241

Rh the old Governor was on hand to take leave of us, and hung round in a way that was very suggestive. We knew what he was after, for, like all Arabs, he had an itching palm. But, as he had not helped us in our difficulty, we resolved to teach him a lesson. His devotion, however, nearly overcame our resolution. He was ready to give his life for us. He declared that he would take the field in person, at the head of his soldiers, and march by our side, to guard us from the dangers of the way. But the Doctor was not deceived by these professions, and whispered "Don't give him anything!" To his grimaces and protestations we replied with thanks. He bowed and smiled, and we bowed and smiled. But he looked very blank when he saw us mount our camels, with not a single napoleon left in his hand, and I have no doubt, returned disgusted to his castle.

And now we were to make the acquaintance of our new set of retainers. We found that the change was complete; that in taking Arabs of another tribe, we took a very different set of men — men of a different physique, larger and stronger, and of a less gentle aspect than our late companions; and before we were through with them, we found that they differed as much in character as in looks; that they answered much more to our idea of the real Bedaween of the desert. Among them was an old soldier of Ibrahim Pacha, who carried a rusty sword by his side in token of his military profession, and who, before we reached the end of our journey, showed that, in spite of his years, he had the fiery spirit and the courage of a soldier. Another carried one of those long guns, made at Damascus, which are the pride of the Bedaween, though we could not think much of its efficiency, for it was plugged up at the muzzle, and the lock swathed with bandages like a mummy, so that it seemed as if it must take a quarter of an hour before it