Donovan Pasha and Some People of Egypt | Page 3

Battle of the
Strong'.
Nor would it be thought strange that, having visited another and newer
sphere of England's influence, Egypt to wit, in 1889, I should then
determine that, when I could study the country at leisure, I should try to
write of the life there, so full of splendour and of primitive simplicity;
of mystery and guilt; of cruel indolence and beautiful industry; of
tyranny and devoted slavery; of the high elements of a true democracy
and the shameful practices of a false autocracy; all touched off by the
majesty of an ancient charm, the nobility of the remotest history.
The years went by, and, four times visiting Egypt, at last I began to
write of her. That is now five years ago. From time to time the stories
which I offer to the public in this volume were given forth. It is likely
that the old Anglo-Egyptian and the historical student may find some
anachronisms and other things to criticise; but the anachronisms are
deliberate, and even as in writing of Canada and Australia, which I
know very well, I have here, perhaps, sacrificed superficial exactness
while trying to give the more intimate meaning and spirit. I have never
thought it necessary to apologise for this disregard of photographic
accuracy,--that may be found in my note-books,--and I shall not begin
to do so now. I shall be sufficiently grateful if this series of tales does
no more than make ready the way for the novel of Egyptian life on
which I have been working for some years. It is an avant courier. I hope,
however, that it may be welcomed for its own sake. G. P.
NOTE: A Glossary will be found at the end of the volume.

WHILE THE LAMP HOLDS OUT TO BURN
There is a town on the Nile which Fielding Bey called Hasha, meaning

"Heaven Forbid!" He loathed inspecting it. Going up the Nile, he would
put off visiting it till he came down; coming down, he thanked his fates
if accident carried him beyond it. Convenient accidents sometimes did
occur: a murder at one of the villages below it, asking his immediate
presence; a telegram from his Minister at Cairo, requiring his return; or
a very low Nile, when Hasha suddenly found itself a mile away from
the channel and there was no good place to land. So it was that Hasha,
with little inspection, was the least reputable and almost the dirtiest
town on the Nile; for even in those far-off days the official Englishman
had his influence, especially when Kubar Pasha was behind him. Kubar
had his good points.
There were certain definite reasons, however, why Fielding Bey shrank
from visiting Hasha. Donovan Pasha saw something was wrong from
the first moment Hasha was mentioned.
On a particular day they were lying below at another village, on the
Amenhotep. Hasha was the next place marked red on the map, and that
meant inspection. When Dicky Donovan mentioned Hasha, Fielding
Bey twisted a shoulder and walked nervously up and down the deck.
He stayed here for hours: to wait for the next post, he said-serious
matters expected from head quarters. He appeared not to realise that
letters would get to Hasha by rail as quickly as by the Amenhotep.
Every man has a weak spot in his character, a sub-rosa, as it were, in
his business of life; and Dicky fancied he had found Fielding Bey's.
While they waited, Fielding made a pretence of working hard--for he
really was conscientious--sending his orderly for the mamour--
[magistrate]--and the omdah--[head of a village]--, and holding fatuous
conferences; turning the hose on the local dairymen and butchers and
dategrowers, who came with backsheesh in kind; burying his nose in
official papers; or sending for Holgate, the Yorkshire engineer, to find
out what the run would be to the next stopping-place beyond Hasha.
Twice he did this; which was very little like Fielding Bey. The second
time, when Holgate came below to his engine, Dicky was there playing
with a Farshoot dog.
"We don't stop at Hasha, then?" Dicky asked, and let the Farshoot

fasten on his leggings.
Holgate swung round and eyed Dicky curiously, a queer smile at his
lips.
"Not if Goovnur can 'elp, aw give ye ma woord, sir," answered
Holgate.
Fielding was affectionately called "the Governor" by his subordinates
and friends.
"We all have our likes and dislikes," rejoined Dicky casually, and blew
smoke in the eyes of the Farshoot. "Aye, aw've seen places that bad!
but Hasha has taaste of its own in Goovnur's mouth, ma life on't!"
"Never can tell when a thing'll pall on the taste. Hasha's turn with the
Governor now, eh?" rejoined Dicky.
Dicky's way of getting information seemed guileless, and Holgate
opened his basket as wide