DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11789#0077
ALEE.
07
the fortifications, towers, and minarets of Cairo.
The descent was easy. Accompanied by the same
assistants, I visited the interior of the Pyramid,
where I saw nothing of any especial interest.
Having so signally failed in their previous attempts
at extortion, they did not, on this occasion, offer
me the slightest molestation. They might even he
said to 'be almost polite, judging no doubt that
this would prove the most profitable course. Al-
though at parting they asked me for an extra back-
sheesh, (i. e. " present,") it seemed intended only as
a compliment. This custom, indeed, is so universal
that you think nothing of it after you have been
among these people a few days. I must not, how-
ever, omit to mention to the honor of my little
friend Alee, that he alone, of all the Arabs I ever
met with, seemed satisfied and even grateful when
I paid him what I had promised, an English six-
pence, which was in fact a very moderate compen-
sation for his toil, or for his services to me. Mean-
while several of my companions had ascended the
Pyramid. By adopting the wise maxim, to " take
it cool"—AV'hich is particularly to be recommended
when the thermometer is at 100° of Fahrenheit—
they had accomplished the feat without the slightest
difficulty. After we had fully satisfied ourselves
07
the fortifications, towers, and minarets of Cairo.
The descent was easy. Accompanied by the same
assistants, I visited the interior of the Pyramid,
where I saw nothing of any especial interest.
Having so signally failed in their previous attempts
at extortion, they did not, on this occasion, offer
me the slightest molestation. They might even he
said to 'be almost polite, judging no doubt that
this would prove the most profitable course. Al-
though at parting they asked me for an extra back-
sheesh, (i. e. " present,") it seemed intended only as
a compliment. This custom, indeed, is so universal
that you think nothing of it after you have been
among these people a few days. I must not, how-
ever, omit to mention to the honor of my little
friend Alee, that he alone, of all the Arabs I ever
met with, seemed satisfied and even grateful when
I paid him what I had promised, an English six-
pence, which was in fact a very moderate compen-
sation for his toil, or for his services to me. Mean-
while several of my companions had ascended the
Pyramid. By adopting the wise maxim, to " take
it cool"—AV'hich is particularly to be recommended
when the thermometer is at 100° of Fahrenheit—
they had accomplished the feat without the slightest
difficulty. After we had fully satisfied ourselves