AFLOAT 151 Gregory was much gratified that evening after mess at the kindly manner in which the members of the staff all shook hands with him, and said that they were sorry that he was going to leave them. General Hunter was dining with the Sirdar. The next morning, when Gregory went to say Good-bye ” to him, he said : I was telling Sir Herbert Kitchener yesterday evening that you were transferred to the naval branch. He said: ‘ The gun-boats will all take up troops, and there will be native officers on board. It is a rule in our army, you know, that all white officers have the honorary rank of major, so as to make them senior to all Egyptian officers. Will you tell Mr. Hilliard that I authorize him to call himself Bimbashi?

There is no occasion to put it in orders ; my authorization is sufficient. As long as he was on your staff it did not matter, but as presently he may be attached to an Egyptian regiment it is as well that he should bear the usual rank, and it may save misunderstanding in communicating with the natives. He will be much more respected as Bimbashi than he would be as lieutenant, a title that they would not understand.’ A good many lieutenants in the British Army are Bimbashis here, so that there is nothing unusual in your holding that honorary rank.”

“ I would just as soon be lieutenant, sir, so far as I am concerned myself, but of course I feel honoured at receiving the title. Ho doubt it would be much more pleasant if I were attached to an Egyptian regiment. I do not know whether it is the proper thing to thank the Sirdar. If it is, I shall be greatly obliged if you will convey my thanks to him.”

“I will tell him that you are greatly gratified, Hilliard.

I have no doubt you owe it not only to your ride to Metemmeh, but to my report that I did not think Ahmed Bey would have ventured to ride on into Berber had you not been with him, and that you advised him as to the defensive position he took up here, and prepared for a stout defence until the