ABSTRACT
To be an Englishman at the head of a Government department in those days, was to occupy a position something like that of a great English lord of the manor in medieval times. Our power over the natives stopped short of life and death. We could put people into prison, keep them there for years, or take them out again, at our will and pleasure, without inquiry or formality of any kind. When I first went to the Pyramids, with but one companion, I found two sheep being roasted whole over a fire in the desert to furnish our luncheon. When we travelled it was in a special train, and, according to our rank, provision for so many “wives” must be made to accompany us. My brother, I found, was entitled to eight “harem” on his train, all of whom I represented in my own person. Once when we woke up in the morning at a desert station we found four specials waiting for our orders. It happened in this wise.
