The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-19
THE TIGRESS.

UurinB the enterpfIsinR expeultion INTO
Upper Egypt, by General Desaix, provincial
soldier fell into the power Of a tribe OF Arabs,
called The Maugrabins, and was by them car.
ried into the desert, beyond the cataract of
the Nile. Ia order to place a safe distance
between themselves and tho French army,
the Maugrabins made forced march and did
not stop till night closed in. They encamped
around fountain surrounded by palm trees.
Not supposiDg their prisoner would attempt
TO escape, they contented themselves with
merely binding his hands and after having
fed their horses, and made their supper upon
dates, they all Of them slept soundly. AS
soon as the French prisoner was convinced
of this fact, he began to gnaw the cords that
bound him, and soon regained the liberty Of
his hands. He seized carbine, and took
the precaution TO provide himself with some
with a scimetar, he mounted n horse, and
started off in the direction of the French ar.
my.
In his eagerness to arrive at a place Of
safety, he urged the already wearied horse
until the generous animal fell down dead, and
left his rider alone in the midst of the desert
For long time the Frenchman walked on
with the perseverance of runaway slave,
but he was at last obliged to stop. The day
was finished; and Notwithstanding the beauty
and freshness Of oriental nights, he did not
feel strength enough to pursue his journey.
Having reached little cluster Of palms,
which had gladdcned bis heart from dis
tance, he laid his head upon stone and
slept, without taking any precaution for his
defense.
lie was awakened by the pitiless rays of
the sun, which fell upon him with intoerable
fervor I; for in his WEAKNESS he had reposed
on the side opposite TO the morning shadows
of the majestic palms. The prospect around
him filled him with despair. In every direc.
ton nothing me, his eye but wide ocean Of
sand, sparkling and glancing like dagger
m the sunshine. The pure brilliancy of the
sky left tho Imagination nothing to desire.
Not cloud obscured its spendor, not q
zephyr moved the surface Of the desert.
The earth and the heavens seemed on fire
they met at the horizon in narrow line oi
light, as fine and gittering as the edge Of q
sword. There was wild and awful majesty
in the universal stiffness God, in all his in.
finty was present to the soul
The dosolate wanderer thought Of the
fountains and rose Of his own native province
and wept aloud. lie clasped the palm, as il
IT had been o living friend. IIo shouted, to
relieve tho forgetiulness Of utter solitude
The wild wilderness sent back a sharp sound
from the distance but no echo was ava ened
The echo was in his heart.
With melancholy steps he walked around
the little emlnence on which the palm trees
grew. To his great joy he discovered on the
opposite side, sort Of natural grotto formed
by pile of granite Hope was awakened IN
his breast The palms would furnish him
with dates for food, and human beings nigh,
come that way before they were exhausted.
Perhaps another party of Maugrabins, whose
wandering life began TO have some charms
for his lmagination-or he might hear the
noise OF approaching cannon--for Bonaparie
was then passing over Egypt. The French.
man experienced a sudden transition from
the deepest despair 10 the widest Joy. He
occupied himself during the day with cutting
down some of the palm trees 10 defend the
mouth OF the grotto against wild beasts,
which would probably come in the night time
10 drink, at The rivulet flowing at the foot of
the palms. Notwithstanding tho eagerness
produced by fear Of being dcvoured in his
sleep lie could not finish his for,ifcations
during that day. Toward evening, the nigh.
" tree he had been cutting. fell to the ground,
with crash that rcsounded through the de.
sert. ss II solitude had uttered deep groan.
The soldier tromblod as ir there had been
.supernatural voice in tho air. But like an
heir' who soon ceases To mourn over o rich
parent, he immediately began to strip Off tho
orosd and beautiful leaves 10 form his couch
Tor The night. Fatlgued by his exertions and
extreme warmth OF climate, he soon fell into
apfo'ound slumber. In the middle Of the
mgh' hl' sleep was suddenly disturbed by an
extraordinary noise. lie raised himself and
Iis'eneo--and amid the deep silence he dis.
uneuy heard the loud breathing Of some
powerful animal. Tho sound fell upon his
hesH iike ice. The hair started upon his