Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-07-10
THE PANGS OF THIRST.
BY ALBERT q. MoDRIcKER.

By ALBERT h MODRICKER.
Among the many cities of Asia and
Africa that ! had visited in the years
80, 81 and $50, no place presented such
dismal appearance to me as the noted
Suez.
After six hours ride on the railway
from Cairo through the horrid desert
called the Valley of Error" the trav-
eler finds himself fully exhausted and
feels an ardent desire to reach his desti-
nation.
A white, sandy plain extends on each
side Of the railroad, over which burn
ing atmosphere constantly glimmers
and fuctuates. The heat in the closed
coaches is very oppressive, consequently
everybody desires refreshing drink.
At last you will arrive at one of the
most miserable nests in Arabia.
A complex of dirty streets and di-
lapidated huts emerge from the desert.
Not drop Of pure water springs from
the scorched soil. The invigorating
drink of olden times was transported
in leather bags by camels, and only
recently in big zinc boxes by the rail-
road from the river Nile.
An American could hardly be per-
suaded to drink this muddy and warm
LIQUID, as he generally finds our spring
water not cool enough if it isn't made
palatable by ice and carbonic acid gas.
However, have not despised the
dirty water of the Nile, for at one time
it saved my life and tasted more pre-
cious than the most delicious wines, as
the following narrative illustrates:
During my stay at Suez, q country
man of mine persuaded me to partici-
pate in hunting expedition to the
Attica Mountains.
One forenoon we laid our plans and
in the afternoon my comrade was to
visit an old decayed lighthouse which
had recently been used for telegraph
station. He promised to carry the
necessary provisions with him, and by
agreement the lighthouse had been Sc
lected for out rendezvous.
Accordingly, at early morn, I de-
parted for the old ruin, hoping to ar
rive there in two hours.
The way led me over scorched sand,
whose high temperature singed my
shoes. / had scarcely proceeded one
mile when felt desire for drink of
water. However, / consoled myself
with the hope of reaching my destina-
tion very soon-but alas, walked on
and on, the ruin seemed to be no nearer.
The reader may imagine to my right
the sea, at my left, the immense sandy
plain with an eternal trembling atmos-
phere, and above, the sky and sun
which sent forth its fiery arrows.
Not cooling breeze, only the hot air
from Sahara's furnace carrying on its
wings the mephitic odor of the putri-
fed carcasses of camels.
The sun was in its zenith, when I, at
last, perfectly exhausted and choked
with thirst, reached the rendezvous, but
nota vestige of my countryman was
visible.
Feverish and excited, I searched the
ruin and its acknowledgement a trace
of a human being could see.
Believing that my comrsde had gone
tol the mountain, / fred several shots
in that direction-no answer, only the
echo dying away. / was alone-de-
serted. laid down in the shadow oil
the old ruin and began studying over
my situation.
Suez lay about five, miles away, and
I shuddered to walk back, and CON.
cluded to take to the mountains, hoping
to find my comrade, or, at any rate,
some game-wild goat, fox or dove.
I thirsted so terribly that the thought
of sucking the blood of dead animal
was not abhorrent just then. searched
my pockets--oh, Joy, / found crust
of bread-old and dry it slackened my
thirst very poorly.
/ FASTENED to the dark mountains
Tie sandy soil became more stony and
very soon travelled over ground thai
was covered with black quarter stones
and intersected by ravines, SO that
was frequently forced to. ascend and
descend.
The interior of my mouth was swollen
and my tongue parched; the fever-heat
stirred me up restlessly; however,
kept on, the dark mountains seeming tx
exert a mysterious, demoniac influence
over me.
Finally I came to the foot of th,
mountains; rugged and mysterious the,
arose before me like haunted. castle
with sharp spikes and peaks
No wonder, thought, thattthe hot
blooded Arabs considered such place
the abode of demons and bad spirit
inimical to all life; yet, these smoun
tains had attracted me by it's magi,
force.
I sank down under the shadows of
large projecting rock, battling between
life and death. The pains I had felt il
my head and throat had abated to SOM
extent; then, the food of despair wa
quoted by earnest meditations. AS m,
loved ones at home appeared before m,
mind, resolved to escape at all haz
ards the horrible death of thirsting ant
exhaustion.
At five o'clock p. M, Isarose and fire.
ffseveral shots whose echo reverberate.
ON the steep rocks I'M wild mockery
I climbed up to high precipic
where could overlook the distance
had covered in my fever heat.
Far out towards the horizon lay Sue
like dark streak, at my feet the ter
rible sea Of stones.
I, I tried to climb still higher, but ais th
glossy, sharp edged stones Illustrate.
my attempt, i descended as fast as m,
trembling limbs would allow, and at las
hating close to the sea, / hoped to re
cuperate my strength and finally TO re
gain the old ruin, where I could fin,
at least shelter for the night; but m,
strength seemed to be very near ex
hausted and my steps became retarde,