358 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



which he scratched up the ground at random, 

 discovered a precious fragment. 



This purchase made, we took leave of the good 

 Jew ; we got upon the road which leads to Ros- 

 setta, where we arrived at ten o'clock at night. 

 We saw on the shore several laundresses, and on 

 the palm-trees, blackbirds which arrive in the 

 northern part of Egypt at the same time with the 

 thrushes, at the commencement of winter. Their 

 passage is more numerous after the rains have 

 begun to fall. It is said, that at that time they 

 are very fat and delicate. Five or six jackals 

 passed close by us ; the brightness of the moon 

 permitted us to distinguish them, and they did not 

 seem at all intimidated at meeting us. 



During the whole of this day a very violent 

 wind blew from the east-south-east; the weather 

 Was gloomy, and in the evening we had rain. The 

 sea ran high, and its waves arose dashing against 

 the sides of the dikes of Aboukir, and spread with 

 fury along the coast. Their roarings diffused 

 themselves over the solitude which we were tra- 

 versing, and which they seemed resolute to 

 invade. 



