We now come to the Overland part of the journey; viz., from
CAIRO TO SUEZ.[8]
The distance (ordinarily accomplished in about twenty hours, including stoppages) from Cairo to Suez is eighty four miles, and along the route through the desert there are seven station-houses. These station-houses are numbered from 1 to 7, and contain the following accommodation:—
No. 1. Nine miles from Cairo, stabling and a resting-room.
No. 2. Twenty miles from Cairo, contains two public rooms (one for ladies, and the other for gentlemen), two private rooms, and a servants' room.
No. 3. Thirty miles from Cairo, stabling for relays of horses, with one resting-room.
No. 4. Forty-one miles from Cairo, the centre station, contains a large saloon, a ladies' room, servants' room, kitchen, a number of commodious bed-chambers, large water-tank, stabling, &c. Here, also, will be found, liberally provided, those "creature comforts," which so essentially cheer and sustain the traveller on his way. Ladies, however, would do well to take in their basket, on leaving the steamer, a bottle of good water.
No. 5. Thirty miles from Suez, stabling and a resting room.
No. 6. Twenty miles from Suez, two public rooms, private rooms, and servants' rooms. The same as No. 2.
No. 7. Nine miles from Suez, stabling and resting-room.