The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-06-10
Donkey and Camel Riding in Egypt.
BY DIR. HURST.

Wy IluC VI ycSteIudy loicHooH WAS vi d
camel-my first and, if wishes are anything,
my only ride for many long day on an
animal of that species. 1t happened to be
one of monsterous height, and rugged off
with saddle suited to his tribe. lie knelt
down to have me get on, otherwise a step
ladder would have been necessary, and at
his first lurch toward getting up, it seemed
as if he would send me ten feet on ahead of
him, and Immediately after, when he was
making his second l did not know but l
was going to be cast as far in to the back
ground; but by holding on closely to the
saddle, and having the friendly aid of a
hand on either side, found myself elevated
for once beyond my ambition or fondest
dreams. Bride had none, also no stir
rups. The only thing 1 had to hold my
mammoth by was single robe Of palm-bark
around his nose, and my only rest was by
the front ofmy hard saddle. Besides this,
l had to keep my umbrella constantly in
position over me-for the sun is tropical
here, and has been all the time l have been
in Egypt-and care also for my little travel
ling bag, for botanical, meteorological Or
whatever purpose an excursion into country
might serve. was very much afraid my
camel would walk over some man or beast
at once, SO perfectly independent and
straight-ahead was his conduct. He seemed
to look down with imperial contempt on
the little donkeys that wabbled below, and
believe he would have walked over any
or all of them if they had not wisely trip
ped out of his path. A stroke from the
cowhide of the driver brought him to a
trot, and what trot it was He brought
his great spongy feet up and down in quick
succession, and left tho donkeys away
behind in very short time. 1t seemed to
me as if were astraddle the roof of two
story house which was under full gallop,
and my fear equally divided between my
being carried ahead or brought to halt
My camel-boy held the halter at the start,
and ran along with his breast, applying the
rawhide without stint. AS l became a lit
tie used to the gait, he gave me the rope,
and after this the whip, and it seemed that
with both hands full, could hardly keep
on. But my camel was sure footed, and as
stumbling was the principal thing l had to
fear, we accomplished together our journey
without parting company by the way
When he stopped, by two great lurches,
like the laundering of a mighty ship, he
brought me within stepping distance of the
mother earth again.
THE NILE JOURNEY AS A RESTORATIVE.
If one has the time, the very best way of
seeing the ruins along the Nile, and enjoy
ing the delightful atmosphere when it is
winter elsewhere, is to mako the trip by
dahabeeh. A party of about ten, OF less,
can hire one of these boats for three months
and ascend to the second cataract, and be
at expense for everything of from four to
five dollars day. The dahabeeh has
capital room for sleeping, and dragoman
contracts to furnish everything necessary.
Prime, in his boat life in Egypt and Nubia
has describe the life very pleasantly and
even more fully than J. l.. Stevens in his
Eqypk AraJia Petrea, and the Holy Land.
One must previously supply himself with
ample reading, and be content to live with
out news even from his own tireside, as
have to do here on the steamer most of the
time. AS game of all kinds is in the great,
est abundance, the journey itself will sup
ply tho solid part Of the food, if this be
exempted in the contract with the drago
man. l cannot imagine how any one suf
foring from bronchial or pulmonary disease
could choose better means to escape the
rigorous winter at home than by spending
three months on one of the Nile dahabeehs
The journey is best undertaken about
December list, and as the wind is from the
north nearly all the time during the Egyp
tian winter-if this torrid weather can bt
called winter-there is scarcely an houl
when the sails cannot be used. In coming
down again, the force of the stream is suffi