Tuesday, April 25th.—A number of islands and the mainland on both sides are in sight. Asia on one side; Africa on the other; Arabia and Egypt, both full of historical interest. Here, towering above others, is the peak pointed out as Mt. Sinai. We accept the statement and fall to musing on the wonderful events that once occurred in this vicinity. The Gulf is here from 15 to 17 miles wide. There are great quantities of sea-weed floating about. The shore on both sides is a desert. We are this evening only 50 miles from Suez, and we expect to arrive about 4 o’clock in the morning.
Wednesday, April 26th.—Arrived at Suez at 4 A.M. Cast anchor, and waited for the Health Officer. Fourteen steamers were lying in the roadstead, while others were entering and coming out of the canal. Somewhere about here it was, probably, that the children of Israel passed through the sea on dry land. The Health Officer did not take long to give us clean papers, and we steamed slowly into dock. We sent for a cart to take our baggage up to town, while the Consul took a boat, then leaving Ibrahim, with Mourgan to assist him to get the things through the custom-house, we went ashore. We were immediately surrounded by a most importunate crowd of donkey boys and men who in their eagerness to secure us as their legitimate prey fought and pulled and pushed till we were nearly crowded into the water. Seeing the necessity of immediate action, we struck right and left with our sticks, till we had cleared a space around us, then leaping on to the donkeys we had already selected, we started off on a smart trot for the town; true, the donkeys had lost their bridles in the muss, but that made no difference. We arrived at the Suez (Eng.) Hotel with a good appetite for our breakfast, and some time before the Consul and his party. After breakfast we took a walk about the town. Returned and read the papers till dinner. A mule cart with our baggage, has run away, and smashed up some of our belongings, but we are getting above caring much for such accidents now. At 5 P.M. we took another walk, and then went by invitation to a dinner party at the Belgian and Brazilian consuls. It was an extensive dinner, and the evening, till a late hour, was passed most pleasantly.
Thursday, April 27th.—Took the train for Cairo at 8:45. A number of friends came to see us off. Fine views of the canal and the desert, and then of the fertile land of Goshen. Took dinner at Zagazig, where we changed cars and started again for Cairo at 3 P.M. At a station near Cairo Mr. Moussalli’s beautiful children came to meet their papa, whom they had not seen for over a year. They reminded me forcibly of my own little ones at home. Soon we reached Cairo, and were greeted by the familiar faces of the hotel porters and others. I started off at once to the American Consulate for our letters, and found 27 waiting for me. What a feast for a hungry soul! It seemed almost like getting home to get back to this familiar hotel. Had a call from Dr. Lansing and Dr. Watson, of the American Mission, who gave us a hearty welcome back after our long and perilous journey. We truly have great reason to be thankful for the way in which we have been preserved amid dangers seen and unseen.
While in Cairo the news was received of the defeat of the army sent against the “False Prophet,” and the fall of Senaar, and of general anarchy in the Soudan. The insurrection under Arabi Pasha was also every day becoming more serious. People were already beginning to leave the country. The explorers were advised by Gen. Stone and others not to broach the subject of the proposed mission to the government in the present crisis. They rapidly settled up the affairs of the expedition and left the country none too soon for their good. They sailed from Alexandria May 10th. They met the English and French fleets, called at Malta and Gibraltar on their way and arrived in Liverpool May 24th. While in England they consulted Mr. Arthington, laid the results of the expedition before him, and agreed that they would have to wait for a more settled state of the country before the proposed plans for the mission could be carried out. They sailed from England June 6th, arriving in New York June 17th, having been gone from home nine months. The long journey was ended. The objects of the expedition had been fully accomplished in the face of many dangers and great difficulties. A detailed report, with maps and plans and photographs, is in course of preparation.—Ed.
THE INDIANS
FARMING AT FORT BERTHOLD.
BY AGENT KAUFFMAN.