The Minneapolis journal., 1906-05-20

semi-attire and closely attended by
swarms of flies, two or three emaciated
goats, few chickens and a somnolent
burro. At present the live stock and
the Egyptians live on terms of demo
cratic equality, but since the English
have introduced the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals it Is
hoped that the situation will be rem
edied.
On Monday at Q 'clock we landed at
Assiut, after passing thru the locks OF
the first big barrage or dam built under
British direction and intended to regu-
late the waterlevel Of the lower Nile
and the delta during the dry season.
Assiut is a big town with some snowy
buildings. an attractive bazaar and a
guide who represents the thirty-third
degree of scoundrelism. His name is
Hassim. If you should visit Assault and
wish to become acquainted with the
very pink and flower Of villainy, hunt
up Hassim. Perhaps it will be unnec-
essary to hunt him up. He will be
waiting for you, just as he was wait
ing for us. When we went ashore we
donkey boys and carriage drivers, all
shrieking like demons and kicking up
such clouds of dust as can be found
only in country where the showers
are a century apart. By striking out
right and left we held off our assail-
ants and succeeded in boarding a rick
ETY. victoria. When we escaped from
the clamor and the clouds Of dust and
took our bearings Hassim was on the
box alongside of the driver. He had
attached himself to us on his own in
vitation and we are glad that he did
SO, for he proved to be a rascal Of such
methods Of attack that our natural re-
sentiment was fairly lost in admiration
He was tall and lean, with stern and
military countenance and one eye set
at an angle. His manner was imperi
Gus and from the moment when he fas
tened himself upon US be was in abso
lutte charge of the expedition.
"Fear pot.' he said, holding up hi
hand impressively, ri shall protec-
you. You shallese the rock tombs ani
the grand view of the valley and th,
great bazaar of Assiut and no ont
shall do you harm, for I am Hassim
son of Abdalla." =. ..,
This had most assuring sound, 81
we made no resistance. For severa
hours he marched ahead Of us, pro
claiming our social Importance and or
derifg people out of the way, and ev
cry ten minutes he led us into some
carefully concealed trap and tried tc
separate us from our piasters. All the
time he went thru the motions of de
Tending our interests and fighting back
those who would defraud u.s. For in
stance, in the bazaar In 4 thought
less moment I had said That wished
to purchase an ebony walking stick
He lead us to a dealer in walking
sticks. and here the following drama
was played for our benefit: H.,
Hasstm Ito dealer)-This distinguished
gentleman wishes to buy an ebony walk:
ing stick Show him your best goods ant
let the price be fair or never more shall
bring customers to your vile shop. (Tt
the crowd jostling In upon us)-Stant
back! Do not crowd upon the honorabl.
gentleman from America. ~
Dealer (showing an ebony stick with {
badly carved handle of bone, supposed t,
be ivory)-Ah, see! Yes! Vera goot
stick! Is it nota Vera cheap.
| I Cooking at it coldly and shaking m!
head as if in disapprovaD-Ho much?
Dealer-Verra cheap-only 20 shillings
Hassim-Wha-a-t! (He rushes upol
the dealer, smites him on the chest will
his open hand and then tries to chok
him.) Oh, dog! Oh, unclean animal
Twenty shilling! (To us) Come! Let u
go away. He is bad man. Come!