valent to 'God's will be done.' At one place I was known, and had a
lot of sick to see, and a civil man killed a sheep and regaled us all
with meat and _fateereh_. The part of the river in which we were kept by
the high wind is made cheerful by the custom of the Hareem being just as
free to mix with men as Europeans, and I quite enjoyed the pretty girls'
faces, and the gossip with the women who came to fill their water-jars
and peep in at the cabin windows, which, by the way, they always ask
leave to do. The Sheykh el-Hawara gave me two sheep which are in the
cargo-boat with four others--all presents--which Omar intends you to eat
at Cairo. The Sheykh is very anxious to give you an entertainment at his
palace, if you come up the river, with horse-riding, feasting and dancing
girls. In fact I am charged with many messages to _el-Kebir_ (the great
master).

July 8, 1867: Sir Alexander Duff Gordon

_To Sir Alexander Duff Gordon_.

CAIRO,
_July_ 8, 1867.

DEAREST ALICK,

I arrived to-day, after thirty-eight days' voyage, one month of ceaseless
furious wind. My poor men had a hard pull down against it. However I am
feeling better than when I left Luxor.

Omar has just brought a whole cargo of your letters, the last of the 26
June. Let me know your plans. If you can go up the river I might send
the boat beforehand to Minieh, so far there is a railway now, which would
break the neck of the tedious part of the voyage for you if you are
pressed for time. I must send this off at once to catch early post
to-morrow. Excuse haste, I write in all the bustle of arrival.

July 28, 1867: Mrs. Austin

_To Mrs. Austin_.

BOULAK,
_July_ 28, 1867.

DEAREST MUTTER,

I know I can write nothing more sure to please you than that I am a good
deal better. It has been intensely hot, and the wind very worrying, but
my cough has greatly abated and I do not feel so weak as I did. I am
anchored here in the river at my old quarters, and have not yet been
ashore owing to the hot wind and the dust, which of course are far less
troublesome here on the river. I have seen but very few people and have
but one neighbour, in a