DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11448#0172
140
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. [chap. n.
stretched, while warm, over the drum—dried almost immediately
by the hot sun, and in the dance and song which followed, it
actually contributed to the festivities consequent on its proprietor's
devourment, and, like Zitka's skin, was beaten with thrilling
associations of its owner.
One morning, just at dawn, I was awakened by the cry of
"Bindera Ingeeleez and, looking out from my dormitory, I
saw the flutter of a red ensign among some palm-trees at a bend
of the river. A few minutes more, and the boat emerge i from
the grove, and on her tall spars floated the blue and white flag
we had been long in expectation of. A shot brought her to,—
she was soon moored astern of our boat, and M-was not a
little surprised to see, standing by his bed-side, one whom he
believed to be three thousand miles away. Our tent was soon
pitched upon the shore ; and it did not require the contrast of the
lonely life we had been leading so long to give zest to our long-
lost conversation. I recollect few more pleasurable hours than
those we passed in the shadow of the tent, looking out upon that
strange wild scenery, with the Arabian hills and all their wonders,
and the Nile, where lay our two little boats before us, so strangely
met, and soon to sever for the north and south.
Meanwhile, our crews got up an entertainment of their own,
and were soon dancing and singing as merrily on that desert-
shore, as if it had been a palace garden. Our servants wero
actively employed in making barter of their respective super-
fluities and wants ; two or three different villages contributed
their population as spectators, and formed a dark circle of gazers,
watching, with solemn silence and earnestness, the proceedings
of their white visitors, who probably laughed as much in an hour
as Upper Egypt had done in a year. But evening came, and
we were obliged to separate ; the "homeward bound" had the
stream in their favor, and their many oars soon bore them far
away ; but we could long catch glimpses of the watch-fires on
their deck, and hear snatches of their wild Arab song.
Two days afterward, we again caught sight of a familiar flag
fluttering over a sandy promontory. By the time it approached,
our tent was pitched upon the shore, and carpets and cushions
spread for the reception of Lady L. T. and her party, who
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. [chap. n.
stretched, while warm, over the drum—dried almost immediately
by the hot sun, and in the dance and song which followed, it
actually contributed to the festivities consequent on its proprietor's
devourment, and, like Zitka's skin, was beaten with thrilling
associations of its owner.
One morning, just at dawn, I was awakened by the cry of
"Bindera Ingeeleez and, looking out from my dormitory, I
saw the flutter of a red ensign among some palm-trees at a bend
of the river. A few minutes more, and the boat emerge i from
the grove, and on her tall spars floated the blue and white flag
we had been long in expectation of. A shot brought her to,—
she was soon moored astern of our boat, and M-was not a
little surprised to see, standing by his bed-side, one whom he
believed to be three thousand miles away. Our tent was soon
pitched upon the shore ; and it did not require the contrast of the
lonely life we had been leading so long to give zest to our long-
lost conversation. I recollect few more pleasurable hours than
those we passed in the shadow of the tent, looking out upon that
strange wild scenery, with the Arabian hills and all their wonders,
and the Nile, where lay our two little boats before us, so strangely
met, and soon to sever for the north and south.
Meanwhile, our crews got up an entertainment of their own,
and were soon dancing and singing as merrily on that desert-
shore, as if it had been a palace garden. Our servants wero
actively employed in making barter of their respective super-
fluities and wants ; two or three different villages contributed
their population as spectators, and formed a dark circle of gazers,
watching, with solemn silence and earnestness, the proceedings
of their white visitors, who probably laughed as much in an hour
as Upper Egypt had done in a year. But evening came, and
we were obliged to separate ; the "homeward bound" had the
stream in their favor, and their many oars soon bore them far
away ; but we could long catch glimpses of the watch-fires on
their deck, and hear snatches of their wild Arab song.
Two days afterward, we again caught sight of a familiar flag
fluttering over a sandy promontory. By the time it approached,
our tent was pitched upon the shore, and carpets and cushions
spread for the reception of Lady L. T. and her party, who