AND LOWJiR EGYPT. 1 85 



The 24ib, at daybreak, we weighed the block 

 of stone which kept fast our boat, and arrived at 

 Luxor, a village on the eastern bank, built upon 

 the ruins of Thebes. I was there informed that 

 the Aralnan prince, Ismain- Abou- All, who was vi- 

 siting his possessions, was at that time encamped 

 near a small village opposite to Luxor. Fearful that 

 1 should not be able to join him, 1 hastened to 

 cross the river, for the purpose of seeing a man 

 whose power and credit were in so great repute. 



For two days past I had met a great number of 

 storks*, and several pelicans-f. The inhabitants 

 of Upper Egypt call this latter bird, chameau d'eau 

 (water camel), from the membranous bag which 

 it has under the bill, and which, when filled, has 

 some resemblance to the leathern bottles contain- 

 ing water with which they load the camel. 



Having arrived at the camp, I presented myself 

 before Scheick hmdin. He was a little old man, 

 very ugly, and quite infirm. I found him in his 

 tent, wrapped up in a shabby woollen great coat, 

 torn to tatters, and very dirty, which he half un- 

 folded every instant to spit upon his clothes. This 

 disgusting man was still foppish enough to dye his 

 beard red with henna, undoubtedly with a view to 

 hide the glaring proofs of his old ago. But this 



•^ Ardea ciconia. Lin. f Pelicar.us onocratuhis. Lin. 



precaution 



