Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-29

with cartouches or seals of great men on the
trunk and branches, but I failed to find one
of Adam at the root. He should not have
been omitted, as 1t was so near his time, ac-
cording to some writers.
I would think quite probable what you
write Of DR.. Draper, saying that there was
high state Of civilization in Egypt 35, 900
years ago. We saw no signs of the in ancy
of art. The further back the more perfect
it appears, and of course it could not have
sprung into existence at once but must
have been slowly evolved from a primitive
beginning.
Our pilot on the Nile was quite a char
acter, he stood at the bow of the boat, and
when the water was shallow, measured the
depth with pole, and gave directions to tine
man at the wheel on the top deck. This
hard working Mohammedan was regular at
his devotions, morning, noon and night.
First he went through his ablutions (wash-
ing his face, hands and feet) and then
spreading rug kept for the purpose-he
knelt at the bow of the boat with his face
turned toward Mecca and recited his
prayers, and all present were impressed that
he was faithful, good man.
TEARS OF DISAPPOINTMENT.
When our steamer got aground, and it
became evident we could not reach the first
cataract owing to the low water, our gray
haired pilot worn out with worry and work,
sat down and cried with a disappointment
He was at least one faithful energetic man
we found in the East, among the many who
were lacking in these qualities.
A steamer of the same line, the Cleopatra,
bound in the same direction came along,
and with less than half DAYS dentention,
we were on our way to Assowan. The in
crease of heat told not only of the advanc-
ing season, but that we were going South.
AssOwan, which we reached in 15 hours, we
found very tropical place. We enjoyed
very much visit to the Island of Philae,
and we we'll remember it as the most ro-
mantle ruins and locations we saw in Egypt.
Near Philae is the first cataract of the
Nile and the end of our journey. Nubia
would be attractive to visit, but we had to
deny ourselves that pleasure, reserved it
perhaps for some future day. So, after
seeing the natives "shoot" the cataract, we
turned our faces toward Cairo. On reach
ing the steamer we found an unusual COM
motion, and on pushing through the crowd
we saw an Arab with two boys of 10 and IL
years of age chained to the floor. Near by
stood the mother of the younger lad, herself
not %, and In appearance even younger, but
there she stood the very picture of grief.
She had come on foot all the way from
Wady Halfah, distance of 210 miles
further south, but mothers love cares not
for distance or difficulties.
INTENDED FOR SLAVES.
The Arab had led off these children, in
tending to take them to Cairo and privately
sell them as slaves, to become the guardians
in time of harems. Slavery is forbidden
BY law, but is still carried on exte ensively.
The peculiar institution" and the Mos
lem religion require that wives should be
watched, and so the demand is large for
these ugly black slaves, of whom we have
seen many in our travels in the East. Just
lately in Constantinople the Grand Vizier
has called the attention of the police to the
fact that the Turkish women are not con-
forming to their religion and laws in hiding
their faces, etc. Perhaps this indicates
growing feeling toward greater freedom
among the women.
To come back to the Arab, he was now a
prisoner to be taken to Cairo for trial, and
the boys as witnesses. It seemed to me
that the slave dealer would have the chill
dren SO scared before they reached trial that
they would be poor witnesses and the GRIM
inal. by the aid of sharp, experienced
lawyer, would be acquitted. The poor
mother wanted to go with her boy, fearing
she would never see him again; but the |
Government officer said it was not necessary
and that the children would be safely re- |
turned. We had our doubts, knowing what |
a farce justice is in the East, where money |
more than justice wins its way.
The tourists took up a collection for the |
poor woman, but little Later I saw her,
mother like, give the money to her boy, to
find its way, no doubt, int, the Arabs |
pocket. By returning to our boat, 100 |
miles down the river, we lost sight Of the |
children and the criminal and never heard |
what became of them.