down. So _addio_, dearest Alick. I am much better but still weakish,
and very _triste_ at my long separation.

March 6, 1866: Sir Alexander Duff Gordon

_To Sir Alexander Duff Gordon_.

_Tuesday_, _March_ 6, 1866.

DEAREST ALICK,

I write to be ready for the last _down_ steamer which will be here in a
few days. Mr. and Miss North are here working hard at sketching, and M.
Brune will take a place in their Dahabieh (my old Zint el Bahreyn), and
leave me in six or seven days. I shall quite grieve to lose his company.
If ever you or yours fall in with him, pray cultivate his acquaintance,
he is very clever, very hard working, and a 'thorough-bred gentleman' as
Omar declares. We are quite low-spirited at parting after a month spent
together at Thebes.

I hear that Olagnier has a big house in Old Cairo and will lodge me. The
Norths go to-day (Thursday) and M. Brune does not go with them as he
intended, but will stay on and finish a good stroke of work and take his
chance of a conveyance.

I spent yesterday out in Mustapha's tent among the bean gatherers, and
will go again. I think it does me good and is not too long a ride. The
weather has set in suddenly very hot, which rather tries everybody, but
gloriously fine clear air. I hope you will get this, as old fat Hassan
will take it to the office in Cairo himself--for the post is very
insecure indeed. I have written very often, if you don't get my letters
I suppose they interest the court of Pharaoh.

March 17, 1866: Sir Alexander Duff Gordon

_To Sir Alexander Duff Gordon_.

THEBES,
_March_ 17, 1866.

DEAREST ALICK,

The high winds have begun with a vengeance and a great bore they are.

I went a few days ago out to Medarnoot, and lunched in Mustapha's tent,
among his bean harvest. I was immensely amused by the man who went with
me on to Medarnoot, one Sheriff, formerly an illustrious robber, now a
watchman and very honest man. He rode a donkey, about the size of
Stirling's wee pony, and I laughed, and said, 'The man should carry the
ass.' No sooner said than done, Sheriff dismounted, or rather let his
beast down from between his legs, shouldered the donkey, and ran on. His
way of keeping awake is original; the nights are still c