The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-08-17


The domeg of holy Mecca at swell IEub.
Quenoh their long thirst at Zemzem's well.
Here they spend from three weeks in alternate
monies and repose times they walk round the sacred
kaaba soemny they kiss the black stone that fell from
heaven with steps they ascend the hills linked with
the story of the prophet Meanwhile at Cairo three days
jubilee kept for the accomplishment of the pilgrimage and
the guns of the citadel fired each of the five daily hours
of prayer. In hundred days from the time of their
departure they reener the city gae bringing with them the
silk covering of the previous which divided in small
bits among the eager crowd. week of easting and um
naton follows in honor of their return and of the birthday
of Mohammed On the last and greatest day the ceremony
of the Dase4 is performed The sheik Of the dervses,
mounted horseback and attended by many his order
goes in the afternoon to the square of the Uzbkeeh where
he rides the PROSTATE bodies of several hundred fanatics
who think themselves from harm in this world and
the next if they feel the tramp of the seed and the
weight of the saint he passes them Such honor is
given the pilgrimage; yet the Arabs know we'll
that does always imply fervor and that outward
zeal may be but cloak for inward Indifference Thus they
have proverb: of man has been twice to Mecca watch
him. if he has been three times lock the door" The 25h
OF February last clear sunny morning In Cairo The
north wind just stirred the palms and mimosas the dogs
reposed under the great trees in front of Shepherds hotel
comparative silence regned the square, for the population
abroad the line of march from the citadel to the
procession AT take the boat for the
of the Nile but with all the world drove first
Streets SO hronged that difficult for single carriage
Every foot of the flat roofs either hand
with men, women and children standing sitting reclining
catch glimpse of the most imposing pageant of the
Even Turkish vigilance relaxed and many laced window
thrown while the vailed inmates OF the chamber
like birds whose cage door is moment left ajar plumed
in the opening and looked with bright and
derng eyes upon the below At length reached the
Bah Nse the Gate of Victory, opening eastward the
desert through whose portal the Mecca always leave
and reenter the city, Hating lust beyond we surveyed the
crowd about u.s. representing almost every Oriental
and costume. Very still and patient they under the
blazing and while they waited they amused themselves
in various quiet Here and there swings erected
to which little tnklng bells attached showmen, with
odd monkeys went in and OUT juggers horrd creatures
naked except for skeepskin about the lons, ghtully
tattooed and with greasy matted hair flung themselves into
strange posure and clamored for basheesh waercarer
busy coneconers found ready market for the sweet
meats carried in trays their heads and market
could hardly supply the demand for peas lettuce carrots
and winch a I eaten raw upon the spot 1t
unshaded square, when the sound of drums heard and
troop of Turkish horsemen issued from the gate parting the
people right and left and followed by cames richly decorated
upon which rode various baned dignitares among them
the sheik who had charge of the water for the Last
came dervis bareheaded and naked to the waist,
immense man, who rolled his eyes and swayed back and
forth if in religious ecstasy and who the Arabs said
would be accounted saint if he preserved this
through the journey long line of followed
soldiers of the pasha foot and on horseback
marching to monotonous minor music that had something
barbarc in it's mued sound High above their heads they
carried standards and green banners embroidered with
fences from the Koran and finished with gold finges and
gded crescents shining the head of the staff All
turned to the gate and soon preceded by band
playing quicker but still avid and mournfu air. the
camel carrying the mamh, glitterng wndowed and
tanned dome, originally the travelling of the wife of
calish who undertook the pilgrimage and which is still
sent yearly though without occupant Then, tall and
apey and supebly caparsoned his head thrown back
if he conscious of his dignity the white camel
bearing his back kind of cloth of gold in which
folded the consecrated lining The music sweled deep
through the crowd their eyes flashed and with
accord they moved forward if they would fain follow
it to the shrne Just then driver knowing that
in haste made effort disengage the carriage and find
outlet the street. We had before seemed quite mnoticed;
but this attracted attention. and there NUT
tering and confusion round us several small
thrown from the side. Before had time think
what it could mean the ong upon the sandy slope beyond
Ike of
they came and moment surrounded and exposed
shower Of stones We managed to raise the top the
who accompanied rode up and down yelling the mob
but nothing awaited until company of mounted Turks
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