202 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

During the three preceding days, a large number / of the dismissed officers had arrived in Cairo from the provinces, acting apparently under instructions. On his way to his office, Nubar was stopped by a crowd \ of officers. Mr. Rivers Wilson, who was passing, realized that the stoppage was not voluntary, and, leaving his own carriage, jumped ipto that -of the President. They both left their carriage at the gates j of the Ministry of Finance, and entered the courtyard / together. There they were assailed with insults and ' cries of, " Death to the Christians ! " They were hustled and pushed about, but, in as far as could be ascertained, no actual blows were struck. At last they contrived to make their way into the office, where they were comparatively in safety.

The rioters, however, continued to block the exit, and seemed to be waiting for further orders. The Khedive was at Abdin, not five minutes* drive from the Ministry of Finance. Messages were constantly passing between the Ministry and the palace. But it was not till two hours after the demonstration that the Khedive appeared on the scene of action. /On his Highness assuring the officers that their / grievances would meet with his prompt attention, \ the mutineers retired at once as if by word of order.

j No punishment of any kind was inflicted, either then / or later, on the ringleaders of the demonstration. The only action taken by Ismail was to make a communi-/ cation on the same day to the Consular body that, in order to secure the preservation of the public peace.