484 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

the British officers of the Egyptian army were disposed to exaggerate rather than to disparage the merits of the troops they commanded. I can remember the period when, in the Anglo-Egyptian military world, it was regarded as rank heresy to express a doubt as to the possibility of converting the fellaheen into good fighting material if they were drilled and trained and led into action by British officers.

The belief in this possibility is still maintained as an article of faith, but without the same fervour of conviction. The fellaheen regiments are quick at learning drill ; they are obedient to orders ; they are hard-working and docile. In the transport service, and in the laying down of the railway, whose construction, owing to the marvellous energy of Lord Kitchener, and the great engineering ability of Captain Girouard, kept pace with the advance of the army southwards, the Egyptian troops did good yeomen's service. By long and careful training under British control, they had also acquired the passive courage which enables troops to stand firm under fire, a courage in which, during the earlier years of their warfare with the Dervishes, they had been utterly wanting. Experience, too, had taught them that the wild Bedouins of the desert were not as formidable as they had been supposed to be in the days of the Egyptian defeats at Kashgil under Hicks, and at El Teb under Baker. But still I adhere to the belief which, as I have mentioned, was expressed to me by Tewfik Pasha, that, do what you like, you will