The herald., 1898-05-01
PART III.


Next day both the doctor and Grant
. were up betimes, and after breakfast
the plans of the district or LUXOR
which the doctor had made during MS
previous visits, and the sketch map Oh
the valley of the Kings We're ald upon
the table of their sitting-room.
Let us see,' said the doctor, bend
ing over the maps, with his niger rest
ing upon red ink cross, this is the
spot, if we're right with DUBIOUS
ring in his voice, which had the desired
effect of rousing Grant.
Look here" interrupted the latter,
nothing ever succeeds where there's
no faith to back the enterprise SO no
more doubt, please"
LAS l was about to continue, re-
Joined the DOCTOR when you cut in:
This place, this spot of yours, is about
midway between Karnak and Luxor,
only deep in from the Nile, some seven
or eight miles I should think, against
the base of those hills"
yes" said Grant, asserting, Il
should think that's about it
well" continued his companion, I'VE
had better bring up our cange mere,
putting his finger on the map midway
Every good" replied Grant.
The rest of the morning the doctor
busted himself with putting his kit in
order. inspecting his revolvers and gun,
and fitting the lenses to his camera.
He found a false shutter out of order,
and this kept him employed for some
considerable time, whilst every now
and then he called down maledictions
upon the whole tribe of porters and
donkey boys.
Grant employed himself by making
a few rough sketches. writing col
umn for the "Torch,'' and letters to MIR.
Murray and Ethel
Long ere Grant had done, his COM
panion had wandered downstairs. and
when Evan appeared in the hall he
found him engaged in voluble con-
versation with a dragoman. who was
as anxious to speak his English as the
worthy doctor was to air his IRE
proachable Arabic
This is the man for us, Grant eX-
claimed the doctor, as the former came
forward to his side; Il find that both
Malleson and Kilbride have employed
him. and have found him a sharp and
reliable fellow. See here." handing
Evan the mans book of testimonials.
Grant ran rapidly through them, and
in the end agreed with the doctor that
.'Ibrahim Hasan, Dragoman and Inter
preter." as his card described him,
was a desirable mas, and so after a
little further questioning, he was en-
gagged.
IA cange," said Hasan; there are SO
many" opening and shutting his brown
hands rapidly, several times. But,
sirs, the Abdul Aziz,' the cange for my
distinguished gentlemen, the only
cange that has my trust, rests by the
bank near the Kasr-en-Nil Barracks,
the north side of the bridge. 1t is my
cousin Ben Ezra's, and he will hire it
to US cheap"
Grant rather offended Hasan by the
look of unbelief which stole across his
face on hearing the last few words of
his speech.
"How about fellahin?" said the doc
tor. Can you get any? We shall want
six, at least
Can / find sand in the desert?" re-
piled the man. "Fellahin," with con-
temptuous shrug of his broad should
ers. ARE thick as locusts. But we wait
to get them at Luxor. Fellahin eat, and
the cange is not large"
Every well; we leave it to you" re-
Piled the doctor, who had acted as
spokesman during the interview, land
we will go down and see this wonder
full cange tomorrow. We want to
start Monday morning, say ten o'clock
"At ten, gentlemen, all will be ready, ;
replied Hasan. And may my cousin
die the death of dog if l find him I'M
prepared"
After a thorough inspection. and c
good deal of bargaining, the result OF
which was that the worthy cousin Ber
Ezra took less than half what he orig
inally asked for the hire of his boa
with five men, the dahabeah was final
ly engaged by the week, for as long az
the Englishmen should want il,
The vessel was a nearly nevNone, anC
sailed well, at least so it's owner said
and for a wonder, experience proved
this to be fact. 1t had a good sizet
main cabin, and four smaller ones
opening out of it, and was, as Grant re.
marked, just what was wanted
Sunday passed very quietly, and ex.