THE RISING IN ALEXANDRIA 35 by the army men as much as by myself. I certainly should not think of your leaving me until you get another berth, and it is only because I see an opening, if you like to take it, that might lead to something better in the future than anything I can offer you. You know that Colonel Hicks arrived here a fortnight since, and is to take command of the Egyptian army, and to have the rank of pasha. Several officers have received appointments on his staff. He will shortly be going up to Khartoum. I was speaking to him yesterday, and as I was doing so two of the officers of Wolseley’s staff came in. A question of supplies came up, and I mentioned your name, and said that I thought that you were the very man for him, that you were master of Arabic, and an excellent organizer, and, a very important matter where there were so few English officers together, a gentleman. One of the officers who knew the work that you had done at once confirmed what I had said, and declared that Wolseley’s quartermaster-general would speak as warmly in your favour. Hicks told me that until he got up to Khartoum he could not say what arrangements would be made for the supplies, but that he would at any rate be very glad to have you with him in the capacity of a first-class interpreter and for general service with the staff with the temporary rank of captain, with the special view of your services in organizing a supply train when he moved forward. I said that I should speak to you and ascertain your views.”

“ I am very much obliged to you indeed. I must take twenty-four hours to think it over. Of course I shall be guided to some extent by the question whether the appointment would be likely to be a permanent one.”

That I have no doubt ; indeed Hicks said as much. I asked him the question, and he replied, I can hardly make a permanent appointment now, as I am not quite in the saddle ; but I have no doubt from what you say that Mr. Hilliard will make a valuable officer, and after our first campaign I shall without difficulty be able to obtain him a permanent appointment in the Egyptian army.’ ”