SAFI THE SHEIKH. 
47 
position^ we re-mounted and rode to Gagee. The sun had set 
when we arrived there. The sheikh (who had returned to the 
village) had thoughtfully sent angeribs for our use. We gladly 
availed ourselves of them^ feeling very weary; but ere there was 
time to get to sleep the youthful sheikh presented himself. Safi^ 
the son of the deceased sheikh, Hassan Wo^d al Hassan^ a grace- 
ful well-grown boy of some fourteen years^ saluted us with the 
ease of a well-bred man. Slightly touching our hands with, his 
lips^ he said. 
Consul, your people have asked for a sheep, for vegetables, 
tendering the money ; but we are poor, and do not possess any, or 
all would have been placed at your feet. We, too, have eaten for 
some time only barley. Seed is sown, and our harvest will soon 
be ripe ; rain has fallen, and the grass will spring ; then our goats 
and herds can return from their pasturage far hence. I have a 
goat — will you drink of its milk ? 
He presented a gourd containing some, and delicious I found the 
draught — nearly the only one I had tasted since our departure from 
Cairo ; and I am now reminded to assure all travellers in hot coun- 
tries, that weak tea, without sugar or milk, is most acceptable to 
the palate, and thirst is soon quenched by it. Safi, remarking that 
it was possible we might feel tired, took his leave, saying that at 
sunrise he would return ; and again we prepared for repose. The 
angeribs were placed in an open space, as we never sought at night 
the shelter of trees, for we had found that in their vicinity snakes 
and scorpions abounded ; but the wind rose, a few drops of rain fell, 
and we were obliged to remove to a grove of magnificent dom 
A 
palm trees. The wind howled through their branches like the 
sound of the sea in a storm. Lightning was frequent ; and, fearing 
a heavy fall of rain, we allowed ourselves no sleep, as all, in that 
