Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-17
IN THE DESERT OF SINAI.

We began the march soon after the sun
had risen, turning the eastern sky into the
aspect Of conhagration. The heavens
above we're las brassn and the earth be-
meath ''as iron.n l breakfasted on raisins
and half cup Of stirabout made with some
stale water which had been begged from
the scauty stock OF the nomads the night
before. These folded their tents and passed
away on that search for water which is the
life long occupation Of the dwellers in the
desert. They left not y trace behind. Soon
after they went cut of sight walked on
The camels, but soon sank on a stone from
bes IN his own mouth and gave me
soue to pat in nine, but he spoke thick.
iv, thongn doubtless he had taken
more water than he gave TO me. We
marched for four hours-a burning, weary,
silent march-and halted at noon in the
sharp. deep shadow Of high rock, where
TIC uicrcury foil to Ill degrees. The glare
on the sand beyond the shadow was blind
ing The lower strata of the air was SHIN
,2ering with hest, Il was terrible to
eIna!ge from tho shadow Of that great
roci. into the furnace glare once more
nnd piod CT under the fiery sun.
usually soak towel, several times folded,
il water and lay it on my head under my
hat, letting the end hang over the back of
riy neck and, being unable TO get any
water, l suffered severely from the sun. AS
tba afternoon wen. on became dizzy and
Distracted felt that I should soon be
tielirious tried to speak to Hassan, but
my tongue only ratified in my mouth. | felt
that if Nny one were carrying water and
would not give it to me that would take
it by force-!hat | could even commit des.
perate crime to get one cupful And still
we marcked on silently unde. the blazing
skies, through the heated, simmering air.
7 felt n'y reason going, and tied a handker-
chief cver my eyes; then lassitude came on,
and tho longing for water turned into long
ing for death, and the iancied murmur of
the "dark river" IL my ears was pleasant
sound. Thou there wero Voices, ,and Hassan,
speaking th;cll, uttered tho one word
"watar.' took the bAndagc from my eyes,
and saw that we wero in valley. In
from: pains waved, and there was
y grccuncss on the earth. | thought
was assGi.: being mGc,cd by the nirage, but
tEa blessed reality was confirmed the next
moment, WnNll saW Ill Tue ulSlallCe tDt
Shaikh Ea,ak running toward me with
pitcher Of water in his hand I seized it,
aad !. rnccascEiug haste drank an enor-
nous quantity, when Hassau forced the
cooler from Toe md drank the remainder,
poor fellow. The thirst still ragged, but
jhorc was hope for in the long valley which
we nad entered I recognized the Wady
FeirGn. the great oasis Of tho Sinaitic Des-
ert. The Arabs lifted ME very gently from
nv came! and laid me on q blanket under
palm tree. Hassan brought me a cup of
goats milk warm and healing, and putting
water cooler beeide me, warned me to
take the water only by sips. 1t was pure
and ice-cold; it was abundant; and reason
having returned, l drank it nationally.
Three thousand truit-bearing palms, and
perhaps two thousand young ones, grow in
that grand oasis. Barley Was springing,
tlocks were nbhling berbage, which, though
scanty, was green there was murmur OF
wator, and as fell asleep that murmur be-
came transformed into the sound of 1.-The
river of the water of life" and the rustic of
the palm frcnds overhead into the whisper
of the foliage Of that tree whose leaves are
for the healing of the nations. Mrs. lsa'
bclld Bird Bishop.