When the sun set, therefore, I carefully looked for the
point from which the wind was blowing, and found that it came from
the very west, and was blowing exactly in the direction of my
route. I had nothing to do therefore but to go straight to
leeward; and this was not difficult, for the gale blew with such
immense force, that if I diverged at all from its line I instantly
felt the pressure of the blast on the side towards which I was
deviating. Very soon after sunset there came on complete darkness,
but the strong wind guided me well, and sped me, too, on my way.
I had pushed on for about, I think, a couple of hours after
nightfall when I saw the glimmer of a light in the distance, and
this I ventured to hope must be Suez. Upon approaching it,
however, I found that it was only a solitary fort, and I passed on
without stopping.
On I went, still riding down the wind, when an unlucky accident
occurred, for which, if you like, you can have your laugh against
me. I have told you already what sort of lodging it is that you
have upon the back of a camel. You ride the dromedary in the same
fashion; you are perched rather than seated on a bunch of carpets
or quilts upon the summit of the hump.
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