the honour which he had done me.

As I walked forth with a proud step from beneath the portal, I
perceived, looking down from the square along the street, that there
was already some commotion in the town. I saw the flowing robes of
many Arabs, with their backs turned towards me, and I thought that I
observed the identical gown and turban of my friend Mahmoud on the
back and head of a stout short man, who was hurrying round a corner
in the distance. I felt sure that it was Mahmoud. Some of his
servants had failed in their preparations, I said to myself, as I
made my way round to the water's edge. This was only another
testimony how anxious he was to do me honour.

I stood for a while on the edge of the quay looking into the boat,
and admiring the comfortable cushions which were luxuriously
arranged around the seats. The men who were at work did not know
me, and I was unnoticed, but I should soon take my place upon the
softest of those cushions. I walked slowly backwards and forwards
on the quay, listening to a hum of voices that came to me from a
distance. There was clearly something stirring in the town, and I
felt certain that all the movement and all those distant voices were
connected in some way with my expedition to the Well of Moses. At
last there came a lad upon the walk dressed in Frank costume, and I
asked him what was in the wind. He was a clerk attached to an
English warehouse, and he told me that there had been an arrival
from Cairo.

He knew no more than that, but he had heard that the omnibuses had
just come in. Could it be possible that Mahmoud al Ackbar had heard
of another old acquaintance, and had gone to welcome him also?