A FAIK-HAIEED CHILD, 
G5 
“‘THE KATHLEEN’ 
“Assouan. 
Oh, what a pleasure have we had to-day ! It was early 
— I had not risen— when I thought I heard English voices singing 
an English hymn. A pause — it must be a dream ! again the voices 
rose. I sat up — looked around to be sure that I was awake : a 
child^s voice, clear as a bell, I distinguished. This is too much 
joy! — and there was silence. Could I refrain from weeping ? though 
reasoning how mercifully such dreams are sent to us, reviving, as 
they do, so vividly past happiness, and with them the hope that 
brighter days will come again. How often have I been lured into 
the belief that I saw you all ! and though the vision was too soon 
dispelled, the happy thoughts long remained. 
Petherick returned from an early ramble : I told him my fancies; 
and, observing the tearful eyes, he went on deck to inquire. Soon 
a bright face peeped in at the doorway, and the cheery voice said. 
You are right : there is a fine dahabyeh moored near ours ; she 
carries the American flag, and a fair-haired child runs about her 
deck.^ Thus was our first Sabbath after the perilous journey 
heralded in. 
We went on board the newly arrived dahabyeh and introduced 
ourselves to Mr. Ewing and his wife; their dear little girl was 
soon in my arms. Mr. Ewing, an American, is connected with 
the American Mission-house established at Cairo. 
^^The Ewings evinced much sympathy towards us; and during 
our stay of a few days at Assouan I was the recipient of sundry 
little dainties prepared by Mrs. Ewing: home-made bread, baked 
in tins such as are used in England, corn-flour, blanc- mange, all so 
fresh and nutritious that I became strong (having then a great 
appetite) , and was able to get about and hold revels in those grand 
VOL. II. 5 
