Show Navigating the Kile There are two ways of navigating the the Nile The modern way is by a line of steamers owned by the Khedive The antique method is supplied by the dahabeeh The dahabeeh only provides that sense of dreaminess and slowness which one needs when journeying back into the centuries But as things are done under the present dispensation the traveler may and generally does have opportunity to try both methods of travel during one journey The wind is not always good to the dahabeeh and she is often glad to accept ac-cept a tow at the stern of the more independent in-dependent fellow traveler On these occasions there is a generous interchange inter-change of courtesies so unusual on a marine voyage aud one may enjoy the privilege of pacing two decks on one and the same day If the bustle of the steamboat becomes too exciting for ones halflanguid condition there is usually n hearty offer made to share the quieter dreamier lazier going of the dahabeeh Only a cables tow separates sepa-rates them and an Ara crew is always ready with a small boat to undertake the perils of the voyage Between In making a choice between these two methods the trayeler may feel assured as-sured that in the preparation for the journey and in the start the excitement does not differ a piastres worth The difference in fact however is this The steamboat passenger may calculate fairly on his returu to Cairo but the dahabeehist escape that heartsickness heartsick-ness which comes from hope deferred if from the first he abandons all expectation expec-tation of returning at any time certain or uncertain From the moment he is pushed away from the quay until he returns he is the vassal of the wind and must bend his proud spirit to its whim The dahabeeh is conducted by a private pri-vate dragoman and crew They are yours The steamboat is a public conveyance con-veyance Scribnera Magazine |