New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-07


Br Djcckdud, the second weli,-a natural tanS
in the porphyry rock. near the top OF the noun
tain, holding constan; supply Of delicious water.
Following the western slope OF tae Mountain o.
Thirst, we reached, the next day rugged valley
between mountains I $50 feet in hight, and as
cended its windnss to high, barren plateau, sur
rounded with groups of porphyry peaks. The
change Of air, although the plain was rot more
than go feet above the level Of the Nile, was
very perceptible. With such heat was so much
affected BY it, that for whole day could scarce
IL keep my seat on the dromedary, but the so,e-
reign remedy in Central Africa-a swest--se.
lieved me. | drank two cups OF strong tea in the
evening. rolled myself up in quilt, and after per-
spring to distinction half the night, rose next
morning with head as clear as the desert sky.
Oar provisions were also affected by this continual
dry heat. Dates became as pebbles of jasper. and
when asked my servant ior bread, he gave me q
stone. We were all glad when the path began to
descend again toward the Nile. We followed tho
9ry bed of stream, for two DAYS, through Wild
and beautiful mountain scenery. and last night
reached the commencement Of The Nle-plsn.
Near our camping. place there was a large build
ing. apparently of Roman tnie-ior the Romans
once penetrated to this neighborhood. I, Is built
Of hewn stone, and from the disposition Of its
chambers and passages, appears to have been
palace rather than a temple.
This morning-the eighth day since leaving Ell
Metsmma-was intensely hot and srltry, without
breath of air stirring. We rode slowly down
the broad rysr-bed, which gradually widencd, aud
after two or three hours saw far in advance line
of red glowing sand-hlls, which knew could not
be on this side Of the Nile. Stu we went on.
under the clear, hot sky, the valley widening into
plain the while and sought anxiously Cor some
sign shat the weary desert was crossed. Finally
| saw above the endless clusters of thorns, line
of darksr, richer green, far away in the burning
distance, and knew 10 to be grove Of date-palms
the glorious signal of the Nile. This pat new
life into me- and thenceiorlh | felt the scoIch-
ing heat no longer. To the north, beyond the
pslms. appeared an isolated mountain Of singular
tom-the summit being fiat and the sides almost
perpendicular. IL must be Djebel Berksl,
thought, and told Mohsmmed so, bat he said il
was not. Just then, | saw an Arab herdsmsn
among the thorns aud called out to him to know
the name of the mountain. "Djebel Bsrkel."
said he. lie then accosted Mohammed: where
ere you going a" "To Meroe." I" Are you
the guide :" he again inqu red, bursting in
TO loud laugh. "You are a fine gudei
there is Meroe" pointing in a direction very
different from that were going. This COM
pleted the old fellows discontinue. We were
still five or six miles distant from the river and
took a random path over the desert, in the direc-
ton indicated by the herdsman. The palms rose
higher and showed richer foliage mud walls
appeared in their shade, and tall mnaret on tho
opposite bank of the river pointed out the oca-
lion of the town. rode down out of the drear.
hot sam-tho sea where had been drifting for
seven wearsome days-to this little village Of
Abdom empowered in a paradise of green: palms
above, dazzling wheat-felds, dark cotton-ields
and blossoming beans below. blessed resting
place b'r'