"  But  why  am  I  brought  here  ?  They  cannot
torture  a  prisoner  of  war ! "  he  exclaimed.  "  But
perhaps,"  as  an  idea  struck  him,  li  they  intend  to
frighten  me."

The  gaoler  guffawed  in  a  sepulchral  manner  at
what  he  considered  his  prisoner's  simplicity  ;  he  did
not  understand  that  George  was  trying  to  convince
himself  against  his  own  better  judgment.
"  Frighten,  eh  ?  "  he  said  at  last,  when  his  gruesome
merriment  had  ceased,  "  they'll  not  waste  their  time
in  trying  to  frighten  a  Christian  dog  !  These  things
are  not  for  show,  but  use.  Since  the  white  people
came  to  this  country,  this  place,"  he  went  on,  with  a
comprehensive  sweep  of  his  hands,  "  has  not  been


IN  THE   HANDS   OF  THE  PHILISTINES         263

used,  but  kept  more  as  a  curiosity  than  anything
else  ;  now  the  Egyptians  again  rule,  they  will  once
more  adopt  the  methods  of  our  forefathers."

"  Oh,  yes,"  replied  George,  with  growing  irritation
at  the  man's  undisguised  hatred  for  the  white  people
in  general,  and  himself  in  particular,  "  I  know  all
about  the  mighty  Egyptians  and  their  forefathers.
I've  heard  all  about  that  before,  but  it  has  nothing
to  do  with  bringing  me  down  here.  What  I  want
to  know  is,  why  I'm  brought  here."

At  the  sneering  tone  George  used  when  speaking
of  the  Egyptians  the  expression  of  the  gaoler's  face
lowered  and  his  eyes  shot  fire,  and  as  he  ceased
speaking  the  man  turned  away,  and  busied  himself
with  setting  a  great  arm-chair  in  position  in  the
centre  of  the  room.
