Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
Category: Nonfiction
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Rawlinson first communicated with thephysician; having learned from him that immediate danger was removedand that only a fear of the recurrence of erysipelas prevented MadameOlivier's departure from Port Said, he, above all, took precaution thatshe should have proper care and nursing, and afterwards sent thechildren permission to travel with Dinah. But as Dinah, notwithstandingher extreme attachment for Nell, was not able to take care of herselfon the railways and in the hotels, the duties of guide and paymasterduring this trip devolved upon Stas. It can easily be understood howproud he was of this role and with what chivalrous spirit he assuredlittle Nell that not a hair would fall from her head, as if in realitythe road to Cairo and to Medinet presented any difficulties or dangers.
All preparations having been completed, the children started that veryday for Ismailia by way of the Canal. From Ismailia they were to travelby rail to Cairo, where they were to pass the night. On the followingday they were to ride to Medinet. Leaving Ismailia they saw Lake Timsahwhich Stas already knew, as Pan Tarkowski, being an ardent sportsman,in moments free from his duties had taken Stas along with him to huntfor aquatic birds. Afterwards the road ran along Wadi Tumilat close tothe fresh-water canal leading from the Nile to Ismailia and Suez. Thiscanal had been dug before the Suez Canal, so that the workingmenworking on De Lesseps' grand achievement would not be deprived entirelyof water fit for drinking purposes. But its excavation had yet anotherfortunate result, for this region, which before was a sterile desert,bloomed anew when through it coursed a strong and life-bringing streamof fresh water. The children could observe on the left side from thewindows of the coach a wide belt of verdure composed of meadows onwhich were pastured horses, camels, and sheep, and of tilled fields,diversified with maize, millet, alfalfa, and other varieties of plantsused for fodder. On the bank of the canal could be seen all kinds ofwells in the shape of large wheels with buckets attached, or in theusual form of well-sweeps, drawing water, which fellahs laboriouslycarried to the garden-beds or conveyed in barrels, on wagons drawn bybuffaloes. Over the sprouting grain pigeons soared, and at times awhole covey of quails sprang up. On the canal banks, storks and cranesgravely stalked. In the distance, above the mud hovels of the fellahstowered, like plumes of feathers, the crowns of date palms.
On the other hand, on the north side of the railway there stretched astark desert, but unlike the one which lay on the other side of theSuez Canal. That one looked as level as would the bottom of the sea,from which the water had disappeared and only wrinkled sand remained,while here the sand was more yellowish, heaped up as if in greatknolls, covered on the sides with tufts of gray vegetation. Betweenthose knolls, which here and there changed into high hills, lay widevalleys in which from time to time caravans could be seen moving.
From the windows of the car the children could catch sight of heavilyloaded camels, walking in a long string, one after another, over thesandy expanse. In front of each camel was an Arab in a black mantle,with a white turban on his head. Little Nell was reminded of thepictures in the Bible, which she had seen at home, representing theIsraelites entering Egypt during the times of Joseph. They were exactlythe same. Unfortunately she could not see the caravans very well as atthe windows on that side of the car sat two English officers, whoobstructed her view.
But she had scarcely told this to Stas, when he turned to the officerswith a very grave mien and, touching his hat with his finger, said:
"Gentlemen, could you kindly make room for this little Miss who wishesto look at the camels?"
Both officers accepted the suggestion with the same gravity, and one ofthem not only surrendered his place to the curious Miss but lifted herand placed her in a seat near the window.
And Stas began his lecture:
"This is the ancient land of Goshen, which Pharaoh gave to Joseph forhis brother Israelites. At one time in far antiquity a canal of freshwater ran here so that this new one is but a reconstruction of the old.But later it fell into ruin and the country became a desert. Now thesoil again is fertile."
"How does the gentleman know this?" asked one of the officers.
"At my age, we know such things," answered Stas; "and besides, not longago Professor Sterling gave us a lecture on Wadi Tumilat."
Though Stas spoke English quite fluently, his slightly different accentattracted the attention of the other officer, who asked:
"Is the little gentleman an Englishman?"
"Miss Nell, whose father entrusted her to my care on this journey, islittle. I am not an Englishman but a Pole and the son of an engineer atthe Canal."
The officer, hearing the answer of the pert boy, smiled and said:
"I esteem the Poles. I belong to a regiment of cavalry, which duringthe times of Napoleon several times fought with the Polish Uhlans, andthat tradition until the present day forms its glory and honor."* [*Those regiments of English cavalry which during the times of Napoleonmet the Polish cavalry actually pride themselves with that fact at thepresent time, and every officer speaking of his regiment never fails tosay, "We fought with the Poles." See Chevrillon, "Aux Indes."]
"I am pleased to form your acquaintance," answered Stas.
The conversation easily proceeded farther, for the officers wereevidently amused. It appeared that both were also riding from Port Saidto Cairo to see the British minister plenipotentiary and to receivefinal instructions for a long journey which soon awaited them. Theyounger one was an army surgeon, while the one who spoke to Stas,Captain Glenn, had an order from his government to proceed from Cairo,via Suez, to Mombasa and assume the government of the entire regionadjoining that port and extending as far as the unknown Samburu country.
Stas, who with deep interest read about travels in Africa, knew thatMombasa was situated a few degrees beyond the equator and that theadjoining country, though already conceded to be within the sphere ofEnglish interests, was yet in truth little known; it was utterly wild,full of elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and all kinds ofantelopes, which the military, missionary, and trading expeditionsalways encountered. He also envied Captain Glenn with his whole souland promised to visit him in Mombasa and go hunting with him for lionsand buffaloes.
"Good, but I shall invite you to make the visit with that little Miss,"replied Captain Glenn, laughing and pointing at Nell who at that momentleft the window and sat beside him.
"Miss Rawlinson has a father," answered Stas, "and I am only herguardian during this journey." At this the other officer turned quickly around and asked:
"Rawlinson? Is he not one of the directors of the Canal and has he nota brother in Bombay?"
"My uncle lives in Bombay," answered Nell, raising her little fingerupwards.
"Then your uncle, darling, is married to my sister. My name is Clary.We are related, and I am really delighted that I met and becameacquainted with you, my little dear."
And the surgeon was really delighted. He said that immediately afterhis arrival at Port Said he inquired for Mr. Rawlinson, but in theoffices of the directory he was informed that he had left for theholidays. He expressed also his regret that the steamer which he withCaptain Glenn was to take for Mombasa left Suez in a few days, inconsequence of which he could not make a hurried visit to Medinet.
He therefore requested Nell to convey his compliments to her father,and promised to write to her from Mombasa. Both officers now engagedmainly in a conversation with Nell, so that Stas remained a little onthe side. At all stations they had a plentiful supply of mandarinoranges, dates, and exquisite sherbet, and, besides by Stas and Nell,these dainties were shared by Dinah, who with all her good qualitieswas known for her uncommon gluttony.
In this manner the trip to Cairo passed quickly for the children. Atthe leave-taking the officers kissed Nell's little hands and face, andsqueezed Stas' right hand, and at the same time, Captain Glenn, whomthe resolute boy pleased very much, said half-jokingly andhalf-seriously:
"Listen, my boy! Who knows where, when, and under what circumstances wemay yet meet in life. Remember, however, that y
ou can always rely uponmy good will and assistance."
"And you may likewise rely upon me," Stas answered with a bow full ofdignity.
IV
Pan Tarkowski, as well as Mr. Rawlinson, who loved Nell better than hislife, was delighted at the arrival of the children. The young pairgreeted their parents joyfully, and at once began to look about thetents, which internally were completely fitted up and were ready forthe reception of the beloved guests. The tents appeared superb to them;they were double, one was lined with blue and the other with redflannel, overlaid at the bottom with saddle-cloths, and they were asspacious as large rooms. The agency which was concerned about theopinion of the high officials of the Canal Company had spared no effortfor their comfort. At first Mr. Rawlinson feared that a lengthy stayunder tents might prove injurious to Nell's health, and if he agreed tothe arrangement, it was