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A mist came before Dicky’s eyes–the world seemed falling into space, his soul was in a crucible. The struggle was like that of a man with death, for this must change the course of his life, to what end God only knew. All that he had been to Egypt, all that Egypt had been to him, came to him. But he knew that he must not pause. Now was his moment, and now only. Before the mist had cleared from his eyes he gave his hand into Abdalla’s.

“In God’s name, so be it. I also will go with Gordon, and thou with me,” he said.

GLOSSARY

Aiwa, effendi—-Yea, noble sir. Allah—-God. Allah-haly ‘m alla-haly—-A singsong of river-workers. Allah Kerim—-God is bountiful. Allshu Akbar—-God is most Great. A’l’meh—-Female professional singers Antichi—-Antiquities.

Backsheesh—-Tip, douceur, bribe. Balass—-Earthen vessel for carrying water. Basha—-Pasha. Bersim—-Grass. Bimbashi—-Major. Bishareen—-A native tribe. Bismillah—-In the name of God. Bowab—-A doorkeeper.

Corvee—-Forced labour.

Dahabeah—-A Nile houseboat with large lateen sails.

Darabukkeh—-A drum made of a skin stretched over an earthenware funnel. Doash—-(Literally) Treading. A ceremony performed on the return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.

Dourha—-Maize.

Effendina—-Highness. El aadah—-The ordinary. El Azhar—-The Arab University at Cairo. Fantasia—-Celebration with music, dancing, and processions. Farshoot—-The name of a native tribe. Fatihah—-The opening chapter of the Koran, recited at weddings, etc.

Feddan—-The most common measure of land–a little less than an acre. Also dried hay. Fellah (plu. fellaheen)—-The Egyptian peasant. Felucca—-A small boat, propelled by oars or sails. Fessikh—-Salted fish. Ghaffirs—-Humble village officials.

Ghawdzee—-The tribe of public dancing-girls. A female of this tribe is called “Ghazeeyeh,” and a man “Ghazee,” but the plural Ghawazee is generally understood as applying to the female.

Ghimah—-The Mahommedan Sunday.

Gippy—-Colloquial name for an Egyptian soldier.

Goolah—-Porous water-jar of Nile mud.

Hakim—-Doctor.

Hanouti—-Funeral attendants. Hari-kari—-An Oriental form of suicide. Hashish—-Leaves of hemp. Inshallah—-God willing. Jibbeh—-Long coat or smock, worn by dervishes. Kavass—-An orderly. Kemengeh—-A cocoanut fiddle. Khamsin—-A hot wind of Egypt and the Soudan.

Khedive—-The title granted in 1867 by the Sultan of Turkey to the ruler of Egypt. Khiassa—-Small boat. Khowagah—-Gentleman. Koran—-The Scriptures of the Mahommedans. Kourbash—-A stick, a whip.

La ilaha illa-llah—-There is no God but God. Mafish—-Nothing. Magnoon—-Fool. Malaish—-No matter. Mamour—-A magistrate. Mankalah—-A game. Mastaba—-A bench. Mejidieh—-A Turkish Order. Mirkaz—-District. Moghassils—-Washers of the dead. Moufetish—-High steward. Mudir—-A Governor of a Mudirieh or province. Muezzin—-The sheikh of the mosque who calls to prayer. Mushrabieh—-Lattice window.

Naboot—-Quarter staff. Narghileh—-The Oriental tobacco-pipe. Nehar-ak koom said—-Greeting to you. Omdah—-The head of a village.

Ooster—-One of the best sort.

Ramadan—-The Mahommedan season of fasting. Reis—-Pilot.

Saadat el basha—-Excellency.

Sais—-Groom.

Sakkia—-Persian water-wheel.

Salaam—-A salutation of the East; an obeisance, performed by bowing very low and placing the right palm on the forehead and on the breast.

Sarraf—-An accountant.

Shadoof—-Bucket and pole used by natives for lifting water.

Sha’er—-A reciter. (The singular of Sho’ara, properly signifying a poet.)

Sheikh-el-beled—-Head of a village.

Shintiyan—-Very wide trousers, worn by the women of the middle and higher orders.

Sitt—-“The Lady.”

Tarboosh—-Fez or native turban. Tarah—-A veil for the head.

Ulema—-Learned men.

Waled—-A boy. Wekeel—-A deputy. Welee—-A favourite of Heaven; colloquially a saint.

Yashmak—-A veil for the lower part of the face. Yelek—-A long vest or smock, worn over the shirt and shintiyan.

Zeriba—-A palisade