10 THE DOWNFALL OF THE DERVISHES

and reported the occurrence to his superior

officer. Next day, three Frenchmen, whose features were somewhat discoloured and_ be- draggled, rang the bell at the lieutenant’s quarters with a view to “demand satisfaction.”

But on the doorstep stood the lieutenant’s

servant, a huge bluejacket, who informed the

visitors that a British officer could not cross swords with persons of their inferior social standing. As the Frenchmen were persistent and noisy, the sailor exclaimed, “ Well, it was my master’s day yesterday, but, strike me blue,

it's mine to-day!” and with that he cleared

for action by rolling up his sleeves. The

sight, however, of his brawny arms, coupled with a vivid recollection of /e dox as prac-

tised by the British, appeared to impress the three would-be duellists, and they speedily withdrew. | We stayed for several days at Shepheard’s, where the semi-comatose servants gradually awoke from the lethargy which overtakes them

out of the season, and did their best to make

us comfortable. The general torpor which

seizes upon Cairo during the hot summer months was broken during our stay by the