Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-10-18
Experience with Donkeys a. cairo.

"To see Cairo thoroughly. one must accustom
himself to the ways of those long cared cabs, with
out the Use Of which | would advise no one to
trust himself in the bazars. Donkey riding is u
nversal, and no one thinks of going beyond the
init to be followed by not less than six donkeys
with their drivers. A friend of mine, who was
attended by such cavalcade for two hours, was
obliged to yield at last, and made no second at
tempt. When we first appeared in the gate.
way Of our hotel, equipped for an excursion, the
rush of men and animals was 50 great, that we
were forced to retreat until our servant and the
porter whipped us path through the yelling and
Drawing mob. After one or two trials, found an
intelligent Arab boy, named Kish, who, for five
piasires a day, furnished strong and ambitious
donkeys, which he kept ready at the door from
morning until night. The other drivers respec-
ted Kish's privilege, and thenceorth | had no
trouble The donkeys are so small that my feet
nearly touched the ground, but there is no end TO
their strength and endurance. Their gait ,whelh-
er pace or gallop, is so easy and light that ia
tipne is impossible The drivers take great pride
in having high cushioned red saddles, and in
hanging bits Of iingling brass 70 the bsidles.--
They keep their donkeys close shorn, and fire.
quenily beautify them by painting them various
colors. The first animal rode had legs barred
like Zebra's, and my friends rejoiced in pup
pie flanks and asyellow belly The drivers run
behind them with short stick, pinching them
ffom time to time or giving them sharp punch
on the rump. Very few of them own their don
KEYS, and understood their periinacty when |
learned that they frequently received beating
on returning home in the evening empty
ded.
"The passage of the bazars seems at first quite
as hazardous on donkey back as on foot, but 1t is
the difference between knocking somebody down
and being knocked down yourself, and one natu-
rally prefers the former alternative. There is no
use in attempting to guide the donkey, tor he
won't be guided. The driver shouts behind, and
YOU are dashed at full speed into confusion OF
other donkeys, cames, horses, carts, water carr.
ers and footmen. In vain you cry out, "Bess,"
(enough p ssPiano" and other desperate adjura-
lions the drivers only reply is, "Let the bride
hang loose.u You dodge your head under cam
ell load of panks your leg brushes the wheel OF
dust cart you strike fat Turk plump in the
back; YOU miraculously escape upsetting fruit
stand YOU scatter a company OF spectral, white
masked women, and at last reach some more qui-
et street, with the sensation of man who has
stormed battery. At first this sort OF riding
made me very nervous, but finally let the DON
key 90 his own way, aud took a curious interest
in seeing how near chance ran of striking or
being struck. Sometimes there seemed no hope
of avoiding violent collision, but by series OF
the most remarkable lodges he generally carried
me through in safety. The cries of the driver,
running behind, gave me no little amusement
"The Howadji comes! Take care on the right
hand Take care on the left hand o man, take
care! o maiden, take care o boy. get out OF
the way! The Howadji comes!" Kish had
strong lungs, and his donkey would let nothing
pass him, and so, wherever we went, we con,
trbuted our full share 10 the universal noise and
confusion "-Bayard IaylOr's Journey TO Gen.
tral africa.