DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11448#0233
CHAP. XXV.]
DESERT HOME.
199
before, had been the centre of absorbing interest, was now ne-
glected as a blackguard. The two brave fellows who had saved
him seemed as much surprised as grateful when they found them-
selves rewarded for such a trifling service as saving a Nubian's
life.
On reaching the opposite bank, we discovered our Italian
friend's caravan resting near some ruins in the desert; the
camels kneeling, and their burdens strewn upon the ground.
A little further on we found the merchant's tent, supported by
the only tree in the desert. A pile of camel-chests formed a
wall against the storm, and from these a thick awning extended
to the tree, which was hung round with pipes, weapons, and ca-
potes. The ground was strewed with mats and carpets; and
some tiger-skins, spread on dromedary saddles, with a few cush-
ions, completed the furniture of this desert establishment.
Two young Abyssinian girls lay couched in the interior of the
tent, both finely formed, and one extremely pretty. She had a
fine intellectual forehead, brilliant and speaking eyes, a regular
mouth, a delicate oval countenance, and a slight but finely
rounded figure, which her attitude displayed to advantage. She
seemed to read in our countenances every word we spoke; and
when the conversation turned upon her, the poor savage showed
a modesty not invariably found in European drawing-rooms.
Lemello told us that these two girls were the only associates of
his wandering life. The elder, of whom I have spoken, was
only eleven years of age, though she appeared at least seven-
teen. He said she was very docile, faithful, and affectionate ;
and concluded by offering to sell her to me for £18 ! She evi-
dently understood his meaning, and blushed, 1 thought, through
all the darkness of her cheek : if it was for him, she performed
a more necessary office than that of even lighting his chibouque.
After the usual form of pipes and coffee, we were enter-
tained with a display of his merchandise, which was very va-
rious. The more massive part consisted of skins, tamarinds
in dry cakes, and ebony clubs. We bought some precious
stones, hippopotamus' teeth, and kurbashes, which are whips
made of thongs cut from his horny hide. He told us, on his
reLurn, he should take back silks, jewelry, and cut/.jry, to the
DESERT HOME.
199
before, had been the centre of absorbing interest, was now ne-
glected as a blackguard. The two brave fellows who had saved
him seemed as much surprised as grateful when they found them-
selves rewarded for such a trifling service as saving a Nubian's
life.
On reaching the opposite bank, we discovered our Italian
friend's caravan resting near some ruins in the desert; the
camels kneeling, and their burdens strewn upon the ground.
A little further on we found the merchant's tent, supported by
the only tree in the desert. A pile of camel-chests formed a
wall against the storm, and from these a thick awning extended
to the tree, which was hung round with pipes, weapons, and ca-
potes. The ground was strewed with mats and carpets; and
some tiger-skins, spread on dromedary saddles, with a few cush-
ions, completed the furniture of this desert establishment.
Two young Abyssinian girls lay couched in the interior of the
tent, both finely formed, and one extremely pretty. She had a
fine intellectual forehead, brilliant and speaking eyes, a regular
mouth, a delicate oval countenance, and a slight but finely
rounded figure, which her attitude displayed to advantage. She
seemed to read in our countenances every word we spoke; and
when the conversation turned upon her, the poor savage showed
a modesty not invariably found in European drawing-rooms.
Lemello told us that these two girls were the only associates of
his wandering life. The elder, of whom I have spoken, was
only eleven years of age, though she appeared at least seven-
teen. He said she was very docile, faithful, and affectionate ;
and concluded by offering to sell her to me for £18 ! She evi-
dently understood his meaning, and blushed, 1 thought, through
all the darkness of her cheek : if it was for him, she performed
a more necessary office than that of even lighting his chibouque.
After the usual form of pipes and coffee, we were enter-
tained with a display of his merchandise, which was very va-
rious. The more massive part consisted of skins, tamarinds
in dry cakes, and ebony clubs. We bought some precious
stones, hippopotamus' teeth, and kurbashes, which are whips
made of thongs cut from his horny hide. He told us, on his
reLurn, he should take back silks, jewelry, and cut/.jry, to the