CHAPTER II 



PLANS FOR THE FLIGHT 



I WENT to sleep beside a glassless window opening 

 into an empty yard, after wondering whether we 

 should be able to buy necessary food in the suq, or 

 whether we should have to break into our hoarded 

 provisions. I woke to a busy scene and rubbed my eyes 

 in amazement. In one corner was a white bell-tent, 

 from which came the smoke of a charcoal fire. In 

 another was tethered an excellent horse w^ith a European 

 saddle. Half a dozen servants appeared occupied in 

 preparing an immense meal. I called to Hassanein Bey: 

 "Where on earth did you get all this?" 



"Z?" he replied, bewildered. "I? It is all from 

 Sayed Rida. Do you realise that that horse is going to 

 stay here for you to ride whenever you like, that the 

 tent is a fully equipped kitchen and that you've got a 

 cook and I don't know how many servants besides? You 

 mentioned you liked dates last night. Well, a huge sack 

 arrived this morning, and meat, and bread, and tea, and 

 sugar, and heavens know what beside. We are the 

 Sayed's guests and for the Lord's sake don't say you 

 like anji:hing else, or it will arrive here within an hour!" 

 He paused for breath, while I gazed at him helplessly. 

 When one has come from an Italian colony one is used 

 to hospitality, for, from the Governor downwards, every- 

 one was amazingly kind to us, but this was overwhelm- 

 ing. I felt that a whole garden of floral rhetoric would 

 not adequately express my gratitude. 



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