Leaving Max at a school in England, Mrs. Gordon accompanied her husband to Egypt; but at the end of three years the malarious climate had rendered it impossible for her to live there, and she returned to England to be near Max. For seven years the husband had only been able to spend three months in the year with the wife he so loved. Then came the time when once more the mother of Max was ready to brave the treacherous climate of Egypt. How the husband had looked forward to that time, and with what pleasure had he refurnished his house. Everything to please her was obtained. Alas! her earthly eyes never saw them, and it was no wonder that Mr. Gordon should feel most wretched when he returned to his Oriental home, and knew that she would never grace it with her presence. His only tie to life now was Max, but even with him there was anxiety, for the stern business man--the successful merchant had only seen the frivolous side of his son’s life. To him he was the madcap. To him the boy was the practical joker, the mischievous lad, whose thoughts were of fun and amusement. Early next morning they took train to Cairo. How strange it seems to the Biblical student, to think of traveling by a railroad in that country, so famous in Bible stories! The comic rhyme of one who indulged in the ludicrous fancy of traveling by means of steam through Egypt and Palestine: “Stop her. Now, then, for Joppa! Ease her. Anyone for Gizeh?” has come to be literally true, for Max heard the conductor shout out: “Gizeh--all out for Gizeh,” on the route between Alexandria and Cairo. At the citadel of the narrow-streeted city, Mr. Gordon roused up, and told Max of the slaughter of the Mamelukes--that wonderful body of men who, from being slaves, became the rulers of Egypt. “It was here,” said Mr. Gordon, “that when Mohammed Ali, in 1811, was organizing his expedition against the Wahhabees, he heard that the Mamelukes designed to rebel in his absence. He therefore invited their chief to be present at the investiture of his son with the command of the army. “Above four hundred accepted the invitation. After receiving a most flattering welcome they were invited to parade in the courtyard of the citadel.” “What for?” asked Max. “Did Mohammed want to impress them with his generosity?” “No,” answered Mr. Gordon. “The Mamelukes defiled within its lofty walls; the portcullis fell behind the last of their glittering array; too late they perceived that their host had caught them in a trap, and they turned to effect a retreat. “In vain. “Wherever they looked their eyes rested on the barred windows and blank, pitiless walls. “But they saw more. “A thousand muskets were pointed at them, and from those muskets incessant volleys were poured. “This sudden and terrible death was met with a courage worthy of the past history of the Mamelukes. “Some folded their arms across their mailed bosoms, and stood waiting for death.”