THE KISING IN ALEXANDRIA 25

Boats were at once lowered, and the crews, armed to the teeth, rowed ashore. Here they found about a hundred Europeans, many of them wounded. When rioting had broken out they had, as arranged, assembled at the Anglo-Egyptian Bank. They were taken off to the merchant steamers lying behind the fleet, and their information confirmed the worst fore- bodings of the fugitives there.

When the first gun of the bombardment was fired, Gregory had gone up with the other employees to the top of the house, where they commanded a view over the whole scene of action. After the first few minutes’ firing they could see but little, for batteries and ships were alike shrouded in smoke. At

first there had been some feeling of insecurity and a doubt whether a shot too highly aimed might not come into the town, but the orders to abstain carefully from injuring the

city had been well observed, and, except to the Palace and a few houses close to the water’s edge, no damage was done. Towards evening all those who had resolved to remain behind gathered at the Anglo-Egyptian Bank or at Mr. Ferguson’s. But a consultation was held later, and it was agreed that next morning all should go to the bank, which was a far more

massive building, with fewer entrances, and greater facilities

for defence. When the town was quiet, therefore, all were employed in transferring valuable goods there, and the house was then locked up and left to its fate. Against a mere

rising of the rabble the latter might have been successfully

defended, but there was little doubt that before leaving the town the troops would join the fanatics, and in that case a

li house not built with a special eye for defence could hardly

d hope to hold out against persistent attack.

The bank, however, might hope to make a stout defence.

It was built of massive stone, the lower windows were barred,

and a strong barricade was built against the massive doors. A hundred and twenty resolute men, all well armed, could

hold it against even a persistent attack if unsupported by

artillery. Early in the afternoon all felt that the critical

/Vf. ^