DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17#0228
2θ8
PYRAMIDS ANO PROGRESS.
This monarch records that he had subdued thirteen nations, and was a devoted
servant of the gods. Thothmes IV. also records his visit (1420 b.c.) and many
others do the same. This interesting monument will almost disappear in the
waters, and some antiquarians will regret its loss more than Philœ and its
"modern" records and Gracco-Roman temples.
On the return journey we made the descent of
the first cataract. In order to do so it is necessary
to engage a boat from the tribe of native Nubians
who have monopolised the traffic for many genera-
tions. A code of iaws and regular tariff for their
work have existed for a long time, and a dignified
gentleman—the sheikh of the cataract—superintends
the making of the bargain, which is maintained
scrupulously once the contract is made, though there
is haggling enough beforehand. There is doubtless
considerable danger in the passage of an open boat
down the rapids. The troops of naked black boys
who gambol across the stream and tumble down
the falls, sometimes lost to view for some seconds,
seem utterly without fear, and thoroughly to enjoy
their amphibious existence. But when a white man
attempts similar pranks he soon feels his utter help-
lessness. In the desert, parallel to the cataract, which we had previously crossed,
we saw the grave of a young English tourist, who perished in this vain attempt ;
he was beaten to death before any effort could be made to help him,|withal he
was an accomplished swimmer. The young native imps who disport themselves
do so for baksheesh. The sum demanded (per regulation tariff) is a shilling
for the exhibition of their talent in shooting the greatest falls, and this is divided
among all the gang of india-rubber gymnasts. Each boy bestrides a piece of
wood rounded off at the ends, and sits his steed boldly, sometimes losing hold,
but always regaining his wobbling log. They thus form a procession down the
roaring stream, and when the great rapids] are reached shoot them with great
skill, and showing perfect mastery of their logs, keeping"} proudly erect and
gesticulating defiantly at the wild masses of water that would pound a tyro to
jelly in a few seconds. Then in the clear pools they will dive for small
coins or anything else thrown in. The waters rush at the rate of fifteen
or twenty miles an hour. There are two passages down the rapids—one by
which large dahabeahs can be taken, requiring many men of experience, and
on such occasions the sheikh himself generally accompanies the ship, sitting
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE.
(From a curving mar the Xi-nmeier
on the aland of Phila.)
PYRAMIDS ANO PROGRESS.
This monarch records that he had subdued thirteen nations, and was a devoted
servant of the gods. Thothmes IV. also records his visit (1420 b.c.) and many
others do the same. This interesting monument will almost disappear in the
waters, and some antiquarians will regret its loss more than Philœ and its
"modern" records and Gracco-Roman temples.
On the return journey we made the descent of
the first cataract. In order to do so it is necessary
to engage a boat from the tribe of native Nubians
who have monopolised the traffic for many genera-
tions. A code of iaws and regular tariff for their
work have existed for a long time, and a dignified
gentleman—the sheikh of the cataract—superintends
the making of the bargain, which is maintained
scrupulously once the contract is made, though there
is haggling enough beforehand. There is doubtless
considerable danger in the passage of an open boat
down the rapids. The troops of naked black boys
who gambol across the stream and tumble down
the falls, sometimes lost to view for some seconds,
seem utterly without fear, and thoroughly to enjoy
their amphibious existence. But when a white man
attempts similar pranks he soon feels his utter help-
lessness. In the desert, parallel to the cataract, which we had previously crossed,
we saw the grave of a young English tourist, who perished in this vain attempt ;
he was beaten to death before any effort could be made to help him,|withal he
was an accomplished swimmer. The young native imps who disport themselves
do so for baksheesh. The sum demanded (per regulation tariff) is a shilling
for the exhibition of their talent in shooting the greatest falls, and this is divided
among all the gang of india-rubber gymnasts. Each boy bestrides a piece of
wood rounded off at the ends, and sits his steed boldly, sometimes losing hold,
but always regaining his wobbling log. They thus form a procession down the
roaring stream, and when the great rapids] are reached shoot them with great
skill, and showing perfect mastery of their logs, keeping"} proudly erect and
gesticulating defiantly at the wild masses of water that would pound a tyro to
jelly in a few seconds. Then in the clear pools they will dive for small
coins or anything else thrown in. The waters rush at the rate of fifteen
or twenty miles an hour. There are two passages down the rapids—one by
which large dahabeahs can be taken, requiring many men of experience, and
on such occasions the sheikh himself generally accompanies the ship, sitting
THE SOURCE OF THE NILE.
(From a curving mar the Xi-nmeier
on the aland of Phila.)