The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-05-08
In PharaOhS' Land.
LUXOR. Egyrt. Anril s. 1901.

a very Hlalktu IMPRESSION upon Nhe
mind. At first one is filed with
astonishment at the colo sal ruins, the
magnitude Of the work, the labor, cost
and time consummed. Then one be.
comes interested in the in criptions
which tell the story of the glory of de-
parted kings, their victories over other
nations through devotion to their heather
gods. And lastly one is impressed with
the folly Of kings in seeking 10 perpetu-
ate their names aud fame in monuments
Of stone while the nation over which they
ruled has for centuries been thing OF
the past and those who now live in the
land 4 mixed race of very low type,
while strangers rule other land. These
temples, pyramids and tombs are monu-
ments Of consummate pride and folly.
Our visit to Cairo was broken into by
a trip up the Nile which it was deemed
wise to take before the heat became too
great, as the season is much earlier than
last year. Many of the hotels have already
closed, others remained open on ac-
count of their contract TO entertain our
party.
Our first stop up the Nile was at Luxor,
$50 miles from Cairo which was done by
rail at night. This is the center OF
Egypts most famous ruins, and the place
we began our real experience of eastern
travel. In the evening at dinner, our
guide, Ibrahim, announced that we would
rise at a. M, breakia fast at $3.50, and at
4 would mount our donkeys for visit to
the tombs of the kings. We were prompt
ly on time and just as the moon was sink
ing behind the mountains in the west we
passed out through the rear door of the
hotel, through the delightfully."- pleasant
little park that surrounds it, down to the
banks of the Nile into couple of boats
To cross to the west side, where our
donkeys weIe waiting. YES, they we're
waiting for us as we could tell by the
barking of dogs, the brayiug of the
donkeys whose voices are like caliope
under full head OF steam, and the yelling
aud Arabic iabbering of the donkey boys.
We had taken policeman with us a neces-
sary precaution, and several lanterns to
throw light on the subject. When we
came to the shore we caught a glimpse
OF reeling, writhing mass of men,
boys, donkeys and ears, pressing toward
the boats to the waters edge and further.
The water was so shallow we could not
get near the shore with the boats and had
to be carried. The policeman was first
to land and with his cane he beat right
and left scattering everything and open
ing up wav for the rest Of us to reach
terra tirma. Then the boatmen began to
carry us one by one to shore. Scarcely
did our feet touch the ground till two or
three boys would grab us and dump us
Oh his donkey. 1t was our first encounter
with the donkey boy and we did not
know how to take him, and were largely
at his mercy. The boys got so anxious
for passenger that they began rushing
into the boat, PICK up the nearest one and
start ashore at full speed. One fellow
tried to steal passenger from another
and when he failed he picked up both
passenger and carrier and rushed toward
his donkey. In the rush some of the
women thought they would be pulled to
pieces. The men had their hands so full
IF their own affairs that they could not
render any assistance to the ladies. 1t
was case of every fellow for himself
and the donkey boy for all. In the
weird light of the lantern the pande- |
Inonium that reigned was indescribable. |
Indeed my attention was so fully occu-
pied with personal matters had no time
'or reflection and meditation. l only
caught passing glimpses of the scene as l
was whirled right and left jerked and
pulled and tugged at till I didn't know
whether l was in Egypt or a cane rush at
college. Before leaving the boat I but
toned up my coat, pulled down my hat
and made up my mina to die hard, if die
must, at the hands of the gang. So when |
got to shore l pushed one fellow away
)nly TO stumble over a donKey that had |
been thrust in my way. l made break
for Old Ibrahim who was believing
away in Arabic. 1t sounded like swear
ing but it might have been praying for
all know. When l got to him a donkey
was showed up which he told me to take.
| don't know how l did get on. The
thing was so awfully small that but little
aid was necessary but l got lots of it.
One fellow grabbed me from the off side
and another boosted me from behind and
before knew it I was astride of a misera-
BILE creature that seemed to be mostly
ears. Then with yell of triumph, l
suppose, and a rap over the donkey's
rump with stout stick away we went
out into the darkness and gloom, whittier
knew not. l soon found myself in the
company Of others who also had come
out through many tribulations, and were
on their way to the tombs of the kings.
When the day began 10 break the real
novelty of the scene became apparent.
Every donkey was followed by donkey
boy, bare footed, bare legs, white robe
flowing in the wind as he urged his beast
forward on a run that was not Just agree
able to the rider.
Nearly every donkey and boy had an
American name. One fellow told me his
name was Charlie. and he had three
donkeys-Lake Mich gan, Chicago and
Yankee Doodle. Another called his
"Scotch Whiskey." The effect of former
tourists was evident. My donkey's
name was Ranases and l was sorry be
had not also died, for as ! was hustling
along trying to catch up with the party,
on my way back Old Ramases took a
header and came up flat on his side. l
lit all right and was soon pounding along
over the sand and stones.