The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-24
On the River Nile.

AS an instance of the dread inspired
by the authorities, says Gen. Mcclellan,
in Scri5ner's .Monthly, I will mention
circumstance that occurred to us. Be-
tween Gebel ell Tayr and Minieh, We were
sailing rapidly, with O strong north
wind that made the river very rough,
when Achmet called me to the deck.
The river in front was covered with na-
tive vessels, and some four or five hum
lred yards ahead was group floating
! down the river, standing on and clnging
to something Just below the surface.
AS some native boats were close to these
people, and heading toward them, we did
not doubt that they would relieve them,
when, to oourslrprise and horror, they pass
ed on without an effort to aid them, and the
poor wretches foated past, shrieking and
ilnploring help. OF course, we at once
let 90 the sheet, and sent our sandal after
the drowning men. Our sandal and that
of the "Zarifa succeeded in rescuing
oil, after they had foated down about a
mile further, and we soon had them on
board. There were thirteen, of various
colors and conditions-among them q
woman. They had been three hours in
the water, and were nearly dead
with cold and fright. From all
that we could learn more than that
number had perished before we saw
them. Some of them were merchants
en- route to Cairo to make purchases,
and, in their alarm, had thrown away
considerable sums of money. Our sail
ors were very prompt in saving them,
and, when We had them on board, were
as kind as possible in giving them food,
drying their clothes, etc. Scores Of na-
tive boats must have passed close by
them without an attempt Mt rescue.
Soon after they were safely on our boat,
Achmet told me that the crew were anx-
ious TINT T should shield them from any
harm for their good action. Naturally, l
was astonished, when it at length ap-
peared that the cause of apprehension
was the same that had prevented the ma
tive boats from rendering assistance. 1t
WAS the fear that, had any persisted, all
who took part in the deliyerance would
be thrown into prison as witnesses and
once get man into prison, no matter for
what cause, his chances for egress are
faint indeed. The fear of the authorities
is so great that these naturally kind
hearted men will see afellow creature die
rather than incur the risk of saving him.
It appeared that the woman had been to
Minieh to visit her son, mere lad, who
was in prison. Her story was, that the
shiek of her village had given him some
order which he had forgotten to execute,
whereupon, MS the readiest method OF
improving his memory for the future,
the sheik choked him until he fell sense
less. Therefore, his numerous brothers
and sisters, thinking him dead, howled as
Orientals only can; 80, by way of teach.
ing the family not to make fuss about
trifes, the shiek sent the boy to prison
for two months. When the governor OF
AIinieh called in the evening, and ex-
pressed his thanks for the rescue OF the
people, asked the favor of the boys re-
lease, provided the mothers story was
true. Next day he was released, and
was informed that his sentence OF two
months imprisonment had been for
feigning death!