A pilgrimage to the temples and tombs of Egypt, Nubia, and ...

ARAB FESTIVAL. 201
downwards, we shall be quite as long in descend-
ing as we have been in ascending the Nile be-
tween the two cataracts.
As this is a day of general feasting among the
followers of the Prophet, Hadgee ]\Iustapha
thought it necessary that even we infidels should
comply with the universal custom, so he gave us,
in addition to our usual bill of fare, the famous
Turkish dish of a lamb stuffed with rice, raisins,
almonds, pistachio-nuts, and various spices, and
roasted whole ; this is the favourite roti of the
Turks, and we found it excellent. In the evenino-
I had a quantity of orange sherbet made for the
men, and distributed it among them myself, which
flattered them so much that their joy could only
find vent in an extempore chorus of gratitude
after which they commenced dancing, and worked
themselves up into such a state of wild but
innocent hilarity with their songs and antics, that
by way of finale to the entertainment they threw
themselves headforemost into the river, turbans
and all
!
The cold bath acted as a sedative, and now all
is once more quiet, and our Arabs, like tired chil-
dren, are sleeping round a fire which they lighted
for themselves on shore. Through the open door
of my cabin I can see INIohammed on the fore
;