of this, however, preliminary bargaining went on
with other boats' crews and first impressions were gained of the ways
and manners of the gentle Egyptian. All that day the ship lay at anchor
and little communication took place with the shore. Nevertheless it was
learned from the port authorities, that as soon as another ship, then at
the wharf, had cleared, the troops were to disembark and journey by
train to a camp near Cairo. In preparation a small advance party of
three officers and 40 other ranks was put ashore with instructions to
proceed to the named area in order to get the camp in readiness for the
troops.

At 7 a.m. on the 2nd July the "Ascanius" moved in and berthed. Here the
voices of Egypt were heard in concert. A motley crowd of natives was
grouped about--evidently watched and herded by dapper little policemen,
armed with canes which they seemed to delight in using with or without
provocation. In one place a small gang of labourers, to the music of its
own voices, was building a ramp. In another, seemingly fierce argument
was going on as to the moving of a heavy gangway into position. Still
more men and boys were gazing up at the ship and calling loudly for
"bakshish." "Bakshish" was forthcoming first of all in the shape of
copper coins, later on in scraps of food, and again in raw potatoes. All
these were wildly scrambled for, and even the party operating the
gangway forsook duty in the pursuit of gain. The aim with the potatoes
became rather accurate, and after the head serang had been temporarily
incapacitated by a direct hit in the region of the belt, the fusilade
had to be stopped in order that the work of disembarkation might
proceed.

Getting the troops off the ship was a matter of comparative ease, but
the landing of sick, issue of rations, handing over of ship's stores,
and the unloading of horses, wagons, and over 1,250,000 rounds of
ammunition, entailed much organisation and a great deal of hard labour.
Notwithstanding this, the O.C. Troops was able to leave the ship before
5 p.m., having left behind a small party to finally adjust matters with
the ship and disembarkation authorities. This rear party rejoined the
unit three days later.

As the Battalion commenced to disembark the transport "Geelong" came to
anchor off the town.

CHAPTER III.

FIRST STAY IN EGYPT.

Four trains, running at intervals of two hours, were used to convey the
troops from the ship's side to the neighbourho