Five Months at Cairo and in Lower Egypt (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII. A NIGHT IN THE TENT--SAN--LAKE MENZALEH, PORT SAID. The reception from the sheik was everything that could be desired for repose from our fatigues. He had placed around his tent great mattresses covered with soft carpets, the work of women of his harem. It was on these divans, got up on the spur of the moment, that we stretched ourselves with delight, while the sheik did us the honour of his camp, and his servants hastened to offer us their services. Around the great fire that flamed before us, some Arabs, seated on camel saddles, or squatting on the ground, were picturesquely grouped; some among them had superb heads, eyes of incomparable fulness and brightness. Long hair falling from their coufiehs on their shoulders gave to their physiognomy, already so expressive, an indescribable originality in perfect harmony with the scene which they seemed to be playing under our eyes. A few negroes mixed timidly with them. From time to time we saw appearing also from behind a canvas, that separated us from the harem, inquisitive heads, feebly lighted by the glow of the flames; they examined with surprise all our movements. One of the Arabs beside the fire was pounding coffee in a metal mortar; he struck the grains in cadence, and every time he raised the pestle, he rang lightly the side of the mortar, in order to know, according to the degree of intensity of the sound, whether the coffee was sufficiently pounded. These silvery notes, mixed with the subdued murmur of the groups, the low growling of the dogs that came to warm themselves near the fire, and all in the profound silence of the desert, produced a strange effect. The Sheik Seoud surrounded us with considerate attentions; but with a reserve in the best taste, he seemed to leave us to our im...