THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 163 



several birds of prey, which are awaiting their turn, 

 and which do not stir at our approach. 



"It is eleven o'clock, and Zulfikar and myself 

 munch, as we ride along, the biscuits and sticks of 

 chocolate which are very desirable substitutes for 

 pistols in our saddle-bags. 



" From an eminence we descry the Viceroy's camp. 

 A Bedouin tells us that we shall reach it in half an 

 hour ; but here, as everywhere else, the peasants have 

 a way of misleading you as to distances, and I cal- 

 culate that we have at least two hours before us. Not 

 minding either the heat or the fatigue, I ride on without 

 dismounting once. We reach the camp about half- 

 past two, to find that the Viceroy is taking his rest, 

 and that a tent has been prepared for Zulfikar and 

 myself, next to his. Inside the tent I find an iron 

 bedstead, with an excellent mattress, a counterpane of 

 quilted silk, cocoa-nut matting, some folding chairs, 

 and a mahogany table. 



" The servants bring us pipes and coffee, followed by 

 basins and ewers of silver, after which they sprinkle us 

 with rose-water, by way of a preparation for our col- 

 lation, which is brought to us on a salver placed upon 

 a stool, around which we take our seats. I was about 

 to use my fingers, like my companion, when a knife and 

 fork were placed before me, they, like the spoons and 

 plates, being of Sevres china. In conformity with the 

 injunctions of the Prophet, there was no wine, but the 

 iced water was excellent. 



M 2 



