Still, there is much to do yet before they are finished, and there are points where fortifications might be added with advantage.

These I will gladly point out to you.

They have been beyond our means here, for, as you will perceive, it will need blasting in many places to scarp the rock, and to render inaccessible several points at which active men can now climb up.

For this work, powder is required.

And I would submit that, for such hard work, it will be needful to supply extra rations to the troops, for the present scale scarcely suffices to keep the men efficient, especially as most of them have their wives and families dependent on them." "I have no doubt that the sultan will accede to any reasonable requests, your Excellency.