THE RISING IN ALEXANDRIA 29 he is likely to do so, for now that the European houses have all been destroyed, there would be no longer any reluctance to bombard the town itself, and even if Arabi did recover it, he would very soon be shelled out.

“ By the way, a larger number of people have been saved than was imagined. Several of the streets in the poor European quarters have escaped. The people barricaded the ends, and fought so desperately that their assailants drew off, finding it easier to plunder the better quarters. Even if the mob had overcome the resistance of the defenders of the lanes, they would have found little worth taking there, so some five hundred Europeans have escaped, and these will be very useful. Charley Beresford has charge of the police arrangements on shore, and he has gangs of them at work fighting the fire, and all the natives are forced to assist. The wires will be restored in a day or two, when I shall, of course, telegraph for instructions, and have no doubt that Mr. Partridge will send out orders to rebuild as soon as order is completely restored. I imagine that most of us will he recalled home until that is done. Even if the place were intact no business would be done, as our goods would be of little use to the navy or army, for no doubt an army will be sent. Arabi is as powerful as ever, but now that we have taken the matter in hand it must be carried through. At any rate there will be no clerks’ work to be done here. The plans for a new building will naturally be prepared at home, and a foreman of works sent out. It is a bad job for us all, but as it is we must not complain, for we have escaped with our lives, and I hope that in six months we may open again. However, we can form no plans until I receive instructions from home.”

Gregory did not go ashore for the next week, by which time order had been completely restored, the fires extinguished, and the streets made at least passable. The sailors had been aided by a battalion of marines, which had been telegraphed for from Malta by the admiral before the bombardment began. The Khedive had returned to Kas-el-Teen, which had