Wild & Tame Hoopoes 39 



All this is a digression from the immediate subject 

 of the chapter. 



For all that, let me once more make mention of 

 the gazelles, for they are so intimately connected with 

 my hoopoes in their travelling adventures. 



His Highness Prince Mahomet Ali, the Khe- 

 dive's brother, was on board the steamer, and he, as 

 well as Mdlle. de Lesseps, having caught sight of 

 the baby-gazelles, at once felt pity for them in their 

 draughty and cold position. 



" Why were they put in such a spot ? They 

 would infallibly succumb." 



Hearing that it was by the immediate orders of 

 the captain, and much against my wishes, Mdlle. 

 Helene de Lesseps, to whom I am ever grateful, at 

 once interceded on their behalf; the consequence of 

 which was that the captain had to give in, and allow 

 them to be placed in their crate on the upper deck, 

 in a cosy corner near the engines, where there was a 

 warm atmosphere. 



He looked rather grumpy when he met me after 

 having given the order, and I felt " Fashodaish " once 

 more ! An Egyptian Prince and a De Lesseps had 

 proved too much for him, and the " gauche Anglais " 

 won the day. 



Not, however, without cost ; for poor little " Sha- 

 madana" had contracted a cold in his third-class quar- 

 ters, and died about a week after his arrival in England; 

 partly, however, perhaps, because he and " Quaiss " — 

 who has flourished — were delayed at Calais until leave 

 had been granted by the authorities of the English 



