find comfortable quarters. This made us the more
sorry for our fellow-passengers, who had been so unselfish on our
arrival. But they would soon reach Alexandria by train, and we were glad
to know that they were to stop for refreshment by the way.

"What sort of bed had you last night, Hugh?" Lucy asked.

"A hard floor and a couple of warm blankets. Some kind friend threw a
second blanket over me after I fell asleep. I was well taken care of,
and never slept better. I fancy a good many would have been glad to have
changed places with all of us who were snugly under the billiard-table."

CHAPTER III.

SIGHTS IN CAIRO.

All was bustle that morning. We had scarcely finished breakfast before
two or three parties of travellers set off for Sinai and Palestine; then
the passengers for India prepared to start. Before noon we were settled
in comfortable quarters.

Shepheard's Hotel (which was burnt down some few years afterwards) stood
in a large, handsome square, called the Uzbeekeh, laid out like a garden
and planted with beautiful acacias, which give a delightful shade.
Almost every procession passes through the Uzbeekeh, serpent charmers
and jugglers make it the place for showing off their tricks, and there
is always something going on in it.

[Illustration]

Some of our party had business at the consulate, and they promised to
take Hugh and Lucy out first and show them a little of the town.

At the end of an hour and a half the children came back in great
excitement.

[Illustration: EASTERN VEIL.]

"Oh! such lovely things," cried Lucy, chattering as fast as lips and
tongue could move. "Such lovely things we have seen! and curious women
with their faces bandaged up, and only two holes left for their eyes,
and--"

She stopped for want of breath.

Hugh went on: "Yes; and there was such a noise of shouting and screaming
among all the donkey-boys, to make people get out of their way. And I
think my donkey-boy screamed louder than any. It was such fun."

"And the beautiful things in the shop, Hugh! There were bracelets, and
slippers, and carpets, and shawls, and all sorts of things. I never saw
any bazaar half so beautiful."

"And there is a grand procession, and they say it is sure to pass by
here. Come, Lucy, come and watch for it."

We all went to the window, and were just in time to see the procession
pass.

It was headed by two wrestlers, who played all kinds of antics, and
asked every well-dre