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THE PLAGUE IN EGYPT 47
would have small chance of withstanding the
"protests" of these guides, whose business it
is to get your money.
Once inside these dens of iniquity, licentiousness
runs riot. About twelve or fourteen
young girls are sheltered in such dens,
and they are brought in by the "missus'*
of the house to entertain the boat visitors;
and, beyond question, the entertainment is
appalling. Poor little wretched girls ! some
of them little more than children, some of
course old and a bit brazen they are all
made to dance in the nude and carry on
obscene antics for the amusement of the
passengers with money to lose.
The Government-registered guide is a sort
of master of the ceremonies ; whilst a huge,
evil-looking African nigger, dressed in the garb
of a waiter, takes up a position in the corner,
ready to knock a noisy visitor senseless.
More drink, more dancing, the bills paid, and
the guide then assures you that there are
dozens of better houses with better girls, and
he proceeds to take you the round if, of
course, you are fool enough to follow; and
as a percentage of men are born fools, and
die fools, it is fair to conclude that lots of
fools follow this registered guide.
As I was on my way from the Ear East
to England, to submit my notes to that great
journalist whose life the insatiable sea has
claimed, Mr. W. T. Stead, I determined, at
some risk and cost, to get first-hand information
at Port Said. I spoke to this woman