230 A Sportsman at Large 



Then pandemonium broke loose, and it was only after a 

 desperate struggle that Ted managed to leach my side. 

 Together with Hassanein, and shoulder to shoulder, we backed 

 and fought our way to the ditch, which lay in front of the 

 mound on which the ladies were stationed. Springing across 

 this, I brought my gun to the " ready," and ordered Hassanein 

 (whose bronze face had now turned to an ashen grey) to 

 announce that the first man who might venture to cross 

 would sure have his head blown off ! Thus Ted and I held 

 the yelling crowds at bay, while Sallie and another of our 

 crew, named Achmet, hustled the now thoroughly terrified 

 women to the entrance of the Sheikh's compound. 



As soon as they had gained sanctuary within the sacred 

 precincts, we retreated foot by foot, until we, too, had placed 

 the palisades between ourselves and the surging and yelling 

 mob. The gates were slammed to by the guards, whilst 

 the infuriated populace shook the barriers and flung stones, 

 clods of earth and what, I am sure, was very shocking language 

 in Arabic, at our devoted heads probably consigning us and 

 all our ancestors to Gehenna. 



Then I " went for " the Sheikh, and using our Shikari as 

 interpreter, demanded of him what the devil he meant by 

 telling us to shoot pigeons, when his subjects evidently 

 objected most strongly to the enterprise. And what think 

 you his answer was ? 



" I am the Sheikh of this village. My people are as dirt 

 under my feet. What I say goes. I ask you here to shoot 

 the pigeons whether my people like it or not. Soon you 

 come again, but next time you bring a troop of cavalry from 

 Cairo ; then it will be all right. Allah be praised ! " 



Imagine the colossal cheek of the man ! Figure to your- 

 self (as the French say) our distinguished party arriving at 

 Maidoum escorted by a troop of resplendent Egyptian cavalry 

 in full parade order and armed to the teeth. Fancy this 

 detail of military power surrounding us modest little wielders 

 of the gun whilst we proceeded to slaughter the harmless, 

 necessary doves. I trow that the spectacle would be one 

 to cause excruciating hilarity and amusement to any onlooker 

 blessed with a sense of humour ; always provided that he 



