And now they had reached the very foot of the Pyramids and proceeded to
dismount from their donkeys. Their intention was first to ascend to
the top, then to come down to their banquet, and after that to
penetrate into the interior. And all this would seem to be easy of
performance. The Pyramid is undoubtedly high, but it is so constructed
as to admit of climbing without difficulty. A lady mounting it would
undoubtedly need some assistance, but any man possessed of moderate
activity would require no aid at all.

But our friends were at once imbued with the tremendous nature of the
task before them. A sheikh of the Arabs came forth, who communicated
with them through Abdallah. The work could be done, no doubt, he said;
but a great many men would be wanted to assist. Each lady must have
four Arabs, and each gentlemen three; and then, seeing that the work
would be peculiarly severe on this special day, each of these numerous
Arabs must be remunerated by some very large number of piastres.

Mr. Damer, who was by no means a close man in his money dealings,
opened his eyes with surprise, and mildly expostulated; M. Delabordeau,
who was rather a close man in his reckonings, immediately buttoned up
his breeches pocket and declared that he should decline to mount the
Pyramid at all at that price; and then Mr. Ingram descended to the
combat.

The protestations of the men were fearful. They declared, with loud
voices, eager actions, and manifold English oaths, that an attempt was
being made to rob them. They had a right to demand the sums which they
were charging, and it was a shame that English gentlemen should come
and take the bread out of their mouths. And so they screeched,