Part 1 (2/2)

We stopped at one of the little lonely buildings to change horses and mules. The stoppage roused us from the half-asleep state we were in, and we got out of the van to look at the glorious star-gemmed sky. There was an unusual stir in the little building, and the moonlight showed a large dusky ma.s.s nearing us. Nearer and nearer it came; and as it pa.s.sed, we saw that it was a long string of camels.

The war with Persia was going on at this time; and this was a treasure party, carrying money to pay the army. The camels were laden with chests of treasure, silver and gold. On they came, with their long, sailing step. ”s.h.i.+ps of the desert,” the Arabs call them. The name is well chosen, for their motion over the sea of sand is very like that of some stately vessel over the desert of waters.

The caravan was escorted by a party of Arab hors.e.m.e.n. The officer in command of the party stopped behind for a few moments at the building at which we were halting, to give some orders. The string of camels and their escort were again becoming dusky in the subdued light when he flashed past us on his Arab horse, his drawn sabre glittering in the moonlight, which sparkled for a moment on its jewelled hilt, and on the gems in his turban. Then he too was lost in darkness.

The stately procession moved noiselessly on; the picturesque rider flying by like some fleet graceful bird. No tramp of feet, no ring of horses' hoofs. The deep sand hushed every sound. It was like a beautiful dream; seen for a moment, then vanis.h.i.+ng into the land of shadows for ever.

We were fortunate to fall in with this treasure party; still more fortunate to see it by moonlight. Travellers generally pa.s.s through the desert by this beaten track without anything to break its monotony.

In a few minutes we were again on our way; those of us who could were dozing, perhaps dreaming of camels and hors.e.m.e.n, and only just conscious of the stoppages we made.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ARAB SOLDIERS.]

At last some one said, ”Wake up, we are near Cairo.”

We shook ourselves up, undrew part of the curtains, drew our wraps more closely round us (for the night was cold), and looked out. We were going down a gentle slope, pa.s.sing walls which enclosed gardens, and above which we could see the tops of trees and shrubs. The moon was getting low, and we could not distinguish what trees and shrubs they were; but the sight of green leaves was very pleasant.

We drove on down the easy descent into Cairo; and at between three and four o'clock in the morning we drew up before Shepheard's Hotel. We had left Suez at ten o'clock on the previous morning. Dusty and tired, we were all glad to have the prospect of a comfortable rest.

CHAPTER II.

THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAIRO.

Alas! for the news which greeted us. The hotel was full!

The pa.s.sengers by the overland mail from Alexandria had arrived the afternoon before. What with their number, and with travellers staying in the house, it was full to overflowing. What was to be done? We tried another hotel with the same ill success. After a great deal of driving about, we came back to Shepheard's, and it was arranged that a large sitting-room should be given up to the ladies and children, and that the gentlemen must do as they could.

[Ill.u.s.tration: COURTYARD OF THE HOTEL.]

The room which was given to the ladies and children had, according to eastern custom, couches ranged round it, and a large divan, or couch, in the middle. Every one was hungry, and the children were clamouring for something to eat. One after another among us went to see whether supper or breakfast (or whatever you like to call a meal at four o'clock in the morning) could be had. But no! we could not even get bread-and-b.u.t.ter, much less tea or coffee.

In vain poor Lucy pleaded, ”But I am _so_ hungry and thirsty.” And Hugh's eyes filled with tears which it took his strongest effort to choke down, when he looked round at the number of people and the few couches, and thought that, tired and hungry as he was, he might be obliged to do without either supper or bed.

But things were not to be quite so bad as this. Every one began to unpack such little stores as they had. One of the ladies had a tin of biscuits, another had some sandwiches, another some soda-water, and some one found a little h.o.a.rd of concentrated milk.

Little enough among so many. But He who once fed a mult.i.tude on five barley loaves and two small fishes, put it into the hearts of all to be unselfish and to think of their neighbours' need before their own. And so the little store went farther than we could have believed possible.

Hugh's mother brought him a share.

”No. There are not beds and suppers enough for the girls and the babies,” he said, trying to look very brave, though his lip quivered; ”and I am a boy.”

It was with difficulty he was persuaded to take a sandwich and a little wine-and-water. Directly he had swallowed it, he took a little blanket, which no one seemed to want, and went away. And our next sight of Hugh was rolled up in his blanket, and sleeping quietly on the floor under the table in the billiard-room.

Did you ever try to pack bricks into a box all but too small for them?

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