THE CARAVAN ROUTE BETWEEN EGYPT AND SYRIA

One of the Suez Canal Company's tugs soon took us down the canal from Ismailiato El Kantara (the bridge), where we were to meet our caravan. Just as we werelanding we observed the first few horses of the latter crossing by the ferry whichplies between the two sides of the canal. The boat had to go over three times to getall our animals and luggage, and we found it no easy work on the other side tostrap up all our things ready for the journey. Matters seldom go altogethersmoothly on the first day of a caravan expedition. At length a start was made, themules laden with our tents and luggage going on in front, and ourselves bringingup the rear. The little hotel of El Kantara, with the few patches of vegetationsurrounding it, was the last sight we had of civilised life. Following the telegraphposts, which mark the route from Egypt to Syria, we then entered the rolling desertand soon began to enjoy that feeling of freedom which a boundless plain alwaysinspires. Only life on the sea, with all its wonderful charms, is to be compared to ajourney through the desert. In the midst of its vast and solitary expanse the travellerfeels himself overwhelmed, and his imagination conjures up strange forms on thefar horizon. The desert is to the Arab what the sea is to the sailor; for both, theirproper element has a permanent and irresistible attraction. Old Abou Nabout, theleader of our caravan, rode on quietly in front, his eyes gazing steadfastly acrossthe sandy plain, and dreams of his youth doubtless floated through his mind as hishorse threw up clouds of sand with his hoofs.