The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-07-17
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were off on . 72Ntd jhAH4@,|
about five miles distant. They crossed
the Nile by good bridge, in rhish,
there is a draw, and continued along a
msc>dI f1ld fold, ShfA i hot part
yxoaSiIs; 10 tue bluff & limestone up.
on which the Pyramids are built, and
which, whdANnsx iesShsd, are not SO
imposing Is the imagination had pic
tured. Near by were two villages,
@dB6HKha6e natives came rushing
to offer their services, but General
Stone being along, the sheik
kept them in order. TO the ordinary
traveller these people must be great
nuisance. 1t was decided to make the
ascent on the highest, tho Pyramid of
Cheops, AGO feet. Three Arabs we're
detailed to each one, and the ascent be.
gan. This was done along the edge Of
the northeast side, two Arabs going in
advance to pull tho pilgrim by the
arms, while the third came behind to
push. The Pyramid being built in
layers of stones, each layer diminishing
in size, these form a series of steps,
some Of which are four feet high. The
General halted three.quarters Of the
way up, but the rest continued to tho
top, where there is space about df.
teen feet square, and from which the
view is very extended, over the desert
Of Sahara on the one side, and the
beautifully cultivated valley OF the Nile
on the other. The descent was made
along the opposite edgs-nos, however,
before -four shill,pss had bsen paid to
an importunase native, who promised
to descend, and ascend the Pyramid
opposite to the one on which the party
was, in ten minutes.
The next thing in order was to enter
the Pyramid, which Is done by . mar
row passage. This passage first de.
seconds to a place where one must 60
upon his hands and knees. This
passed, it asoends until one finally en-.
ters room about sixteen feet by twelve
feet, in which is sarcophagus. The
sides Of this room were of very hand
somely cut granite Returning, the
party had to submit to be carried by
the guides, as the descent was over
stones too slippery for shoes. Near
the Pyramid is q house which was
built by the viceroy upon the visit Of
Eugene, when empress of the French.
This was opened for General Sherman
by the viceroy's orders, and in it a
luncheon was served which had been
brought along. After luncheon a WIS.,
it was made to the Sphinx, which is
close to the larger Pyramid, and on the
way tomb some forty feet deep, and
whose sides were lined with granite,
was passed. At the bottom, carved
out Of piece Of gray granite, was an
Egyptian figure which covered the
resting.place Of the corpse. Near by
are some other tombs, which are easily
reached by steps Of gradual descent.
The masonry and, polished granite
there seen ore very interesting. The
Sphinx is an Egyptian head, with body
something in shape like that of lion.
The nose has been partially effaced
during the passage Of five thousand
years. The head is hollow. The
whole ground is mass Of tombs, but
as soon as they are uncovered the ev-
er-shiftlng sand again conceals them.
The day was very warm, and the party
got back to town we'll tired out by the
days jaunt. That evening General
Mott entertained them at dinner
Harpers Magazine TOR July.