Now and again sledges
laden with ponderous burdens were drawn through the sand by yokes of
oxen, oftener by scores of men, on whom the drivers did not hesitate to
lay the lash.
River traffic was carried on far below the flood-tide wharf. Here the
long landings of solid masonry, covered with deep water four months of
the year, were lined with vessels. Between yard-arms hanging aslant
and over decks, glimpses of the Nile might be caught. It rippled
passively between its banks, for it was yet seven months before the
first showing of the June rise. Here were the frail papyrus bari,
constructed like a raft and no more concave than a long bow; the huge
cedar-masted cangias, flat-bottomed and slow-moving; the ancient dhow
with its shapeless tent-cabin aft; the ponderous cattle barges and
freight vessels built of rough-hewn logs; the light passenger skiffs;
and lastly, the sumptuous pleasure-boats. These were elaborate and
beautiful, painted and paneled, ornamented with garlands and sheaves of
carved lotus, and spread with sails, checkered and embroidered in many
colors. From these emerged processions of parties returning from
pleasure trips up the Nile. They came with much pomp and following,
asserting themselves and proceeding through paths made ready for them
by the obsequious laboring classes.
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