make a stand and
fight it out."

"There is no doubt that is the case," Lord Charles agreed. "We shall
make short work of them directly Lord Wolseley and the troops arrive.
However, I hope we sha'n't be idle in the meantime. There are two more
regiments expected to-morrow or next day, and I expect we shall see some
fighting then. The soldiers are furious at the frightful destruction
that has taken place, and they will make it hot for these fellows if
they get a chance of going at them. They say that they are throwing up
tremendous fortifications across the isthmus."

On Sunday night the 46th Regiment arrived. The water in the canal was
now sinking fast. A dam had been erected at its mouth to keep in what
water it contained. Order had now been restored in the town, and the
plundering had been almost put a stop to. The next morning a wing of the
60th and a squadron of mounted infantry went out beyond Ramleh. The
enemy's cavalry were driven off, and there was an exchange of artillery
fire between some heavy guns that had been sent out by rail and placed
into position there, and Arabi's battery.

The next week was a quiet one, but on Friday the 28th a reconnaissance
was made by a railway train, which Captain Fisher of the navy had plated
with iron. It was manned by sailors, and carried a heavy gun and several
Gatlings. The enemy on seeing it approaching came out in force, but were
driven back by the guns of the train and those in the batteries at
Ramleh. The reconnaissance showed that the Egyptians had erected a
number of strong works across the end of the isthmus.

As the work of the bands of hired natives was now only clearing up
rubbish and litter, the boys agreed that as there was no more fun to be
had in the way of putting out fires, they might as well give up what
they called slave-driving, and enjoy themselves until the _Wild Wave_
arrived. They had only undertaken the work as an alternative to going on
board one of the crowded ships in the harbour, and as the population
were now returning and the shops opening again there was no occasion for
their further stay as overlookers of the scavengers. Several temporary
inns had been opened by enterprising Italians for the benefit of those
who on landing from the ships found their houses burned, sacked, or
uninhabitable.

"I vote," Jack said the first morning that they were free to do exactly
as they liked, "that we go up and have a look at our prison."

"A bright idea