THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 145 



follow the banks of the canal and gain time. There 

 are several solutions of continuity, but my horse gets 

 me out of all the difficulties, and I arrive at Ismailia 

 at break of day. I had telegraphed in advance to 

 have a bark got ready, with two dromedaries to 

 draw it along the banks, but just as I reached Tel-el- 

 Kebir, I meet another bark which was bringing up 

 Jules Yoisin, who had been sent by M. Guichard, 

 director of our domains at Ouady, to tell me that the 

 Viceroy had died on the morning of the 18th. I am 

 grieved to the heart, not on account of my enterprise, 

 in which I have the most serene confidence, despite 

 all the difficulties which may arise, but because of the 

 cruel separation from a faithful friend who for more 

 than a quarter of a mitury had given me so many 

 proofs of affection and confidence. As I travel on to 

 Alexandria, I go over in my mind all the circum- 

 stances connected with our youthful friendship, his 

 careless and easy life as a young man, and his bene- 

 ficent reign. Before seeking a little repose I ask 

 permission from the noble and estimable princess, 

 his widow, to allow me to enter the family mosque in 

 which his body had just been lodged. I remain there 

 an hour quite alone, with my head resting upon the 

 dead man's turban. His servitors, whom I afterwards 

 question, inform me that towards the close of his illness 

 their master used a stick which I had given him 

 while we were on an excursion together, and that he 

 had it at his side when he died. I have every search 



