ON THE NILE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 726, 10 February 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

ON THE NILE.

As the novelty of our voyage wears off, we begin to look forward to the choice hours of the day with joyful anticipation. The world is forgotten. We never speak of it now unless m recalling some episode m our past life, which seems >to us like a dream. Doubtless the state of the weather has much to do with this spiritual repose which we enjoy m comraou at intervals. Meanwhile there are occasional bursts of enthusiasm on the part of some one mambar of our party that seem to ua unwarranted, not to say inexcusable Some folks are aa sensitive ss hair-triggera, and they not unfrequently 'gooff half-cocked.' Happily, I doh'b travel with a mouth full of exclamation points, and the equilibrium is preserved on board. Dinner is an event m our lives these days, bub dinner happens to reach its crisis juat at twilight, aud there ia nothing m all Egypt better than sunset, and the after-glow and the divine night that follow. Last night the sun went down m a yellow mist, that hung over the desert like a veil. It seemed as if tho ancient mysteries were concealed beyond it, and that all the glow was the flames and the lurid smoke of Baorificial fires. I fancy it would nob be very difficult to turn heathen m this heathenish land. Its superstitions began to tell upon Boms of us already, m spile tf two cletical fellowvoyagers who are supposed to stand between ua and perdition. After that sunset came the exquisite twilight and one of the landscapes peculiar to the Nile coast. Lookiug cast over, the water, whic'a was a* blue aa the sea, the eye fell first upon a strip of juicy green meadow land. Beyond it, a few miles back— two or three, perhaps— rises a low range of hills as bare aa chalk and of the colour, of dust-powdered snow. The sky juat above the hills -they were tho Arabian hills —was of the brightest blue with a silver luscer over it all. -There was a soft, rose-coloured cliff to the left, and above, m the middle distance, m the midst of the plain beyond the inaadow, stood a solitary tomb with its low dome and one melancholy palm beaiie it,; the tom'o and the palm a3 brown as chocolate, and not a living or moviug thiug m all that half of tho visible world. By-and-bye, a thin, filmy haze gathered over tho scene and absorbed m it trauquil and pathetic silence. The immense otirs came forth suddenly and seemed to float iv mid-air, very close to ua. You might alm_3t hay. heard them twinkle, thay ware so big and so brilliant. There were subdued voices m the cabin. Busy peas flew over the paper inditing lebtars to that tedious world we have turnei our backs upon, or filling up page after page of cha Nila journals, that shall hereafter wring our hearts with too fond memories of these shores. The crew wore dozing on the deck beJow me as I curled up m the corner of a doep divan, with my cigar alight, waiting for the late tnooariso. The shadow of tha big stars plunged m the river, or threw long golden wakes on the water that reached to the other shore Barges drifted by ua— mysterious barges that came like phantoms oub of the shadow and resolved their colours into shadow again— but not untii wa had hailed them and learned from their confession how the changeable bars lay among the currents just above ua. Some times an animated conversation was continued long after the passing barge had faded away m darkness, and' the voices re turned to us out of the air, growing fainter aud fainter like oft-repeated echoes." There was a wild gorge m the Arabian hills, where the chain drew near the shore. As we approached ib I saw that it waa flooded wish mellow light. Soft breezes bure'us slowly agaiußt the river current, and we nosolessly approached the moath of the gorg?. Oh ! vale of wild enchantment ! Fantastic crag 3 leaped into tbe air and hung suspended by some mighty magic. Between the golden walls, m the bed of the valley, a grove of palms rustled their plumes m the delicious air, and juat above the palms rose the splendid moon. Every leaf waa lußtrous m its light; every rock sparkled faintly, and out of the mouth of the valley poured a deluge of light, m which we were all crowned with glory and transfigured. Our barge was silver, our sails of softest silk, and bright flames played upon the waters under us. It was one of the gates of Paradise I There was a great bend m the river, , beyond the valley, and when we had rounded it, those gates were closed on ua for ever and ever. The moon climbed up into heaven and did what she could to smother the stars ; they are not easily outshone m theae crystal skies. The cabin went to sleep m a body. I hang about the ship and burned my weed with the spirit of one who oif.rs a sacrifice to some adorable but invisible objeob. I scented the incense of the nargileh and heard the water bubbling m the shell of tbe cocoanut. I knew that the hasheesh eaters were sleeping their fatal sleep (we have six of them m our crew). And very shortly one of these slaves of sleep began mattering to the moon m & kind of sing-song that attracted about him an audience of intent listeners. I The story-teller reclined on his bed of rugs between decks ; tbe hatch was drawn, back, and a great square of moonlight brought bim into strong relief. Dark Nubians lay at full length on the deck aud listened as stealthily aa| spies. T*yo or three of the hasheesh eaters sab near and applauded the narration with foolish delight, ohuokling to themselves . continually and filling up tho pauses m the narration when the narrator seemed to have 'dropped fast to sleep, ' with expressions of their oompipte satisfaction. Yuasef waß near me j we were leaning together over the rail looking down, upon the picturesque group below. He gave me, inhia literal translation, fragment after fragment of 'the thousand and Becond tale' juat as ib came from the lips of that hasheesh dreamer under the moonlight on the Nile. • Chapter I. Thero waa a King m Egypt who bad three sons. Aboub his palace was a royal garden ; m a ohosen corner of the garden stood an aprioob tree beloved of the King. Now, when ib was summer and the fruits were ripening, the King grew sorrowful and sat alone m his oha.mbar day after day i so his mvm\mm mm^ *

you sib sorrowful and alone m the pleasantesb days of the year ?'

The King anawered, ' Behold, my apricots ripen, bub aa fasb as they ripen they disappear m the night, and my life has become a burden to me m consequence of this thing.' The eider son said, ' Bo of good cheer ; I will watch with the tree this night and bring you the ripest fruit at daybreak.' ' God is great,' exclaimed the King, stroking his beard. His three sons kissed his hand and withdrew. Chapter 11. When it was 1 eveniag, the elder son weub out aud sat under the apricot tree and bent hiß watchful eye among the branches ; the fruib ripened, \>at while it was veiy, still the watcher slept, and whon he awoke at dawn' all thrvt was ripe had been plucked out of the branches, and the King mourned again. Then spoke the second son : 'Site, 1 will Watch to-night J' So he watched and Blept, and between watching and sleeping the tree waa robbed again. _ On the third night the third son add : * Let mo watch ; it may bo 1 shall aave the fruit.' Then they ' laughed at him, for he was young and handsome. But at night he girded on his sword and took m hi. hands a ball of enow, and went out so w*tch. Placing the snow m a branch of a tree, he lay down under it. When he sslepfc the melting snow fell, drop.by drop, on his eyelids, and he kept watch until midnight. At midnight ho heard a movement among the branches. The stars were bright, bu. he aaw nothing. He arose and cut tho air with his sword, till he heard a cry of pain, and the lipe fruit fell ab hia feet, At daybreak he returned to tho palac?, offered his trophies to the Kiug on a tray of ebony, set with jewels, and the Kiug fell upon his neck and kissed him. CHAPTER 111. The youngest son said to h'l3 brothers, • Leu ua capture the thief.' He took with him his sword and a long cord and went out to the apricot tree ; the ground wa3 stained with blood, and tho three followed the blood stains till they came to the mouth of a deep pit. The youngest son tied the rope about his waiat, and his brothers ' lob him down into the pit, deeper an 3 deeper until bo came to a cave m the side of ib. The floor of the cave was bloodstained, and he entered cautiously aud groped about uafcil he came to a marvellous garden m bhe under world. In the midst of this garden was a palace, and m a window of tho palace sat a lady of such beauty that the boy exclaim ?d at it. She turned to him with unfeigned jjy and cried, ' Abdallah ( ib was his name, )at last we meet 1' . Then she bade him steal m at the palace door and. find a genie sleeping m a lower ohamber ; ' Smite him as he sleeps,' Baid she, ' but when he bids you smite again, beware, for the first blow ia fatal, the second restores him to life.' Abdallah entered the palace chamber and smote the genie, who cried, ' Smite ' again,' aud then he diod m his own blood. The fair lady fell upon Abdallah's breast and tore from her arm a bracelet of wonder- . ful workmanahip, which she clasped upon hia wrist as a token. ' Together they returned to the mouth of the cave, and the lady sab m a noose while tho brothers drew her out of. the pit. When tho ropo waa let down again, Abdal lah s.izid ife, but the brothers, who were filled with envy, no sooner fait his weight . upon the ropo than they let it drop and Abdallah fell into tho bottom of the pit. CHAPTER IV.Stunned and bruised, Abdallah lay for some time on a heap of rubbish at the bobsom of the pit which had fortunately broken hia fall. . When he had sufficiently recovered he looked about him aud discovered another cavern cio3e at hand. Hs entered, threaded its mazes and came at last into a great lovely land through which he wandered hour afber hour. Faiab with hunger and thirst, he hailed with joy the low Avails of a cottage standing under a distant.hilh A woman sat aloue m the doorway. He begged of her a draught of water and a morsel of bread. These she gave him, but added : ' Drink little, O stranger ! for our fountain ia guarded by a dragon who is so watchful that only when he sleeps can wa obtain oar life-giveiog water.' Abdallah offered hia services to the good woman m return for her kindness, aud was directed to her flcoks over the brow of the hill, and warned to k ep them from bhe jaws of the hungry dragon. The lad went oub with his sword and drew the goats about him. He wanierod from one hill top to another until he came bo the dragon's fount, and there he paused. The dragon slept wioh his huge paw over the mouth of the fountain, so that little or no water escaped from under it. Abdallah approached with caution, having taking iv hia arms a young kid, and when his step awoke the dragon he threw the kid into the open jaws. At that moment ho rushad upon the moustor and slew him with a dextrous thrust m a vital part, and thon returned to the old worn m and related his adventure. No sooner waa the good news known m that wondor- world than the king summoned tho young victor, and having embraced him pressed upon him a favorite daughter and a royal palace, but these gif ta were refused by Abdallan, who desired only to be restored to hia own people. ' That ia beyond my power ,' said the king sadly, aud ho gave the boy a splendid garment; and a purse of gold. Then Abdallah went forth into tho lonesome land, and when ib waa m the heat of the day he entered a forest to seek repose. A great serpent swung from a bough across hia path. Taere waa a fierce battle, but Abdallah won, and tho serpent fell dead at his feet m a heap of glittering coils. Fearing to enter the forest he threw himself on the grass and fell asleep. The sun stole on him as the hours waned, and when ho awokd he found himself covered by a deep shadow. Lifting his eyes he beheld an enormous eagle hdvering over him, and prot.cfcing him from the sun with its wings. ' Thanka,' said the eagle; 'you have put to death my enemy who for many seasons has climbed into my nest and devoured my eaglets ; whab service cm I render you ?' Abdallah cried with joy, '0, eagle, bear me to my kingdom m the upper world j ? The eagle answered, ' Kill yonder sheep, cub ib m pieces and place it on my back ; then mount beaide it ; wh§n I turn my head to the lefb feed me, and when 1 turn my head to the right feed me 1' Abdallah did as he was commanded, and with one sweep of hia mighty wings tbe eagle, spite of his burden, sped swiftly though the air 1 Chapter V. The wood and the meadow grew shadowy under them asbhey winged their way through space. By and by th.c eagle turned hia head bo the left and Abdallah put meat into his beak ; anon he turned to the right, and was fed again. They soared on and on, and the eagle was fed until bhe lasb morsel had disappeared. Again the eagle looked Back for food. Iv a moment Abdallah had seized hia sword and cut a bib of flesh from his thigh ; tdia he gave his deliverer and they continued their airy journey. When tne nighfe was come and gone, and it wsb broad daylight, bhe^eagle descended m the edge of the cicy where Abdallah lived. ' Abdallah,' said the eagle, « you have fed me with your own fleah ; replace ib and the wound will heal,' and with thab bhe bird pub oub of his beak the flesh with which it had lasb been fed. ' Take also,' it added, a feather from under my wing, fasten it to your spear, and, when you hunt, your aim shall be fatal.' Abdallah pluoked tha feather and bound up his wound, and when he turned to thank his deliverer, bhe black wings of the bird were already fading m the heavens, Chapt*sVL i WJMftAbMih.MlwgVift lift tow !

gale himself wibh the margileh and the gossip of the town, he learned thab on that very day the King's elder son, his brother' would wed a mysterious fair lady, and that the tournament would be more splendid than any ever before known m tho kingdom. Ho sought the arena at once. He Beizod % javelin aud barbed it with his magic plume. The King and the fair lady sat m state. The King's sous enberd the arena and haughtily challenged the populace. JNo one responded bub Abdallah, who strode proudly to the foot of tbe throne and prostrated himself. The trumpet summoned to the tost, Abdallah toyod for a moment wibh his fatal spear, and then slow hia antagonists one after the other. In a moment he made himself known to his royal father and hie bride Her token was proof of his identity, and the marriage feast, inatead of coming to an untimely close, wa,3prolonged for aevendaysand Beven nights, daring which time wino flowed aa water and all the luxuries of life were free. When the story was ended we were all silant. Tiie wind filled our sail, bub we Beemsd scarcely to movo m tho water, there waa such a Btillnesa brooding over us. While wo wore waiting for au event to unseal our lipa we wero startled by the uumisfcakeable or&8h of timber and crieß of despair that came to us over the water. I had scarcely time to turn to Yuasuf, who was still at my aide, and cry, 'Whab was that ? when our sails began to 'swell and the water to roll about va in a momentary gala. The ropca wore loosened immediately. Every _oul m the ahip waa on the alert ia ton seco-d*, but we had a narrow eaoape. These wind bolts fly out of the moaufcain-gorges and take you whan you ara least prepared. They tear the firoafc lateen sails from tho masts, drive smaller boata on shore, aud Borne times wreck th^ heavily laden barges thai trade between the Nile porta. We escaped with only a little fright, but our neighbour waa damaged Considerably. Her loss ws.3 our gain, aa it hippened. Had we been to windward, lapped m tho lazy dream of the Arabian Nights, we might have seen our hundred and seventy fee b of spar borne into the air lika a winged j.tvelin, and where would our Nubia have been then, and our cosy sleep that came a little later, when we were tied up under a high bank waiting for sunrise.