rdered by
khaki soldiers. On it moved a kaleidoscopic gallery of tarbooshes, red
tabs and top hats. Never before had top hats been used officially in
Egypt, and, resurrected from long neglect, were mostly relics of a past
decade. Mac thought they were about as suitable for the climate as a
cellular shirt in the Antarctic. Most of the company looked rather
bored, and he could find no one to speak to, for all were apparently
inwardly dwelling too much upon costume and coming formalities. The
train was late. They grew still more bored. At last, hideously
decorated with flags and shrubbery, it rattled in, hissing and
steaming. From a saloon carriage stepped the new arrival, garbed in
court apparel. Taken in charge by some great officials, he was being
introduced to all and sundry. Mac rather wondered under what high
title, he, a mere private, might be introduced. Among all the mighty
men there, the only one he knew was his Army Corps Commander; so,
placing himself at that gentleman's back, he awaited events. Slowly
the lengthy procedure went on, and slowly the bobbing and bowing grew
closer. At length, clad in clothes of finest silk, the great man came
before the General and his staff, when in due course with a graceful
sweep of his feathered hat he acknowledged the introduction of Mac as
one of the general staff. In the course of time it was all over.

Out through the great porch again, out into the air the great people
passed and dispersed. Mac neglected His Serene Highness's Imperial
conveyance and sought a common taxi, went down the khaki lanes and back
to his hotel. There once more he gained a secluded corner, ordered a
drink and unbuttoned the collar of his tunic.

The Sultan did not forget his guest, Mac. Amidst all his busy life, he
heard, nine months later, that his trooper lay wounded and sick in a
hospital at Alexandria. He despatched an envoy to express his deepest
sympathy, his hopes for better health, and a desire to know the extent
of his wounds. Then, when Mac reached England, the Sultan sent further
messages and inquiries concerning the trooper whom he had honoured at
his table at the Abdin Palace.

CHAPTER X

MAC DISAPPROVES OF BEING LEFT

Mac felt fed up. The worst had come to pass. The infantry had gone
away and left them, the mounted men, to sweat and swear in the desert
till the war was over, and Heaven only knew when that would be. He had
been on fatigue to-day for no