A Sportsman at Large 231 



himself was not involved in the presentation of the farce. 

 What a stunt for a producer of " slap-stick" comedy. 



Well, with the aid of the Sheikh's escort, we were hustled 

 out at the back of his " palace," shook the dust of Maidoum 

 off our feet, and succeeded in reaching the Cleopatra without 

 further adventure, but feeling considerably perturbed and 

 ruffled. 



I may here state that, some years later, two young British 

 officers, stationed at Cairo, were inveigled into a visit to 

 this inhospitable village, when a disturbance similar to that 

 which we had suffered arose. Alas ! in their case the denoue- 

 ment was far more serious than in ours, for one of them was 

 done to death ; whilst the other was so cruelly maltreated 

 that for a time his life was despaired of ! 



This tragedy, of course, led to drastic measures by the 

 Cairo Authorities. The then Sheikh (who was, I believe, 

 the son of our old friend), together with fifteen of his liege 

 subjects, were strung up in the desert, where their vile bodies 

 were left for the gastronomic benefit of the vultures, and as 

 a warning to recalcitrant Arabs to pay proper respect to the 

 persons of British subjects ! 



I have said that the Sheikh who invited us was possessed 

 of colossal impudence. My opinion of him was confirmed 

 when on the morning following the day of our unpleasant 

 adventure he put in an appearance at the Cleopatra, as 

 calmly as if nothing had happened ! 



Whilst taking his coffee with us on deck, I perceived that 

 he was casting the glad eye of impertinence at my C.O. 

 Presently he called Hassanein to him, and made a communi- 

 cation ; whereupon the latter came over to me with a quizzical 

 grin on his classic countenance. 



" What has the Sheikh been saying ? " I asked. 



The interpreter's smile widened. 



" I not like to say, Ba-sha ! " 



" Go on, man, out with it ! " 



" He say will Ba-sha sell the Sit Soya (the young lady). He 

 want her for wife for his son. He say he give blenty money ! " 



This was a startling offer indeed, but my sense of humour 

 overcame my natural indignation. 



