When Mahmoud had exhausted his tobacco, and perceived that I also
had ceased to puff forth smoke, he spoke in Italian to the
interpreter, and the interpreter forthwith proceeded to explain to
me the purport of this visit. This was done with much difficulty,
for the interpreter's stock of English was very scanty--but after
awhile I understood, or thought I understood, as follows:- At some
previous period of my existence I had done some deed which had given
infinite satisfaction to Mahmoud al Ackbar. Whether, however, I had
done it myself, or whether my father had done it, was not quite
clear to me. My father, then some time deceased, had been a
wharfinger at Liverpool, and it was quite possible that Mahmoud
might have found himself at that port. Mahmoud had heard of my
arrival in Egypt, and had been given to understand that I was coming
to Suez--to carry myself away in the ship, as the interpreter
phrased it. This I could not understand, but I let it pass. Having
heard these agreeable tidings--and Mahmoud, sitting in the corner,
bowed low to me as this was said--he had prepared for my acceptance
a slight refection for the morrow, hoping that I would not carry
myself away in the ship till this had been eaten. On this subject I
soon made him quite at ease, and he then proceeded to explain that
as there was a point of interest at Suez, Mahmoud was anxious that I
should partake of the refection somewhat in the guise of a picnic,
at the Well of Moses, over in Asia, on the other side of the head of
the Red Sea. Mahmoud would provide a boat to take across the party
in the morning, and camels on which we would return after sunset.
Or else we would go and return on camels, or go on camels and return
in the boat. Indeed any arrangement would be made that I preferred.
If I was afraid of the heat, and disliked the open boat, I could be
carried round in a litter. The provisions had already been sent