DATE-PALMS, NEAR KENEH.
Another feature of Keneh that attracted attention was the remarkably fine dates that were offered for sale. The dates of Keneh have an excellent reputation in the markets of Cairo and Alexandria, and generally bring a high price. They are not pressed into a solid mass, like most of the dates sold in America, but each one is separate from the others, and only the best are selected for packing. Our friends bought several boxes of these dates, and kept them in their rooms on the steamboat with the intention of taking them to Cairo; but, like many other good intentions, their scheme fell through, as the sweetness and delicate flavor of the contents of the boxes were temptations that could not be resisted. Continual dropping is said to wear away stone, and Fred remarked that continual nibbling would wear away the best box of dates ever known.
The boat was to remain at the landing during the night and until the greater part of the following day, and so our friends had the evening for seeing Keneh. An invitation came for some of the passengers to visit the German Consulate, and witness a characteristic dance of the country. The invitation included Doctor Bronson, and Frank, and Fred, and at the appointed hour the party set out. On reaching the Consulate, they were ushered into a large hall that seemed to have been fitted up for the special entertainment of Europeans, as it was furnished with chairs instead of divans, and the consul, though a native, was in European dress.
ANCIENT DANCERS AND MUSICIANS.
After a little delay the dance was announced, and the dancers made their appearance. There were four of them, and they were accompanied by two musicians, one playing the nay, and the other the darabookah, both of which have been already described. The musicians settled on the floor in one corner of the apartment, and the dancers stepped to the middle of the room. At a signal from the master of the house the dance began.
