He Takes Some Meal And Holds
It Out In The Hollow Of His Hands, Whilst His Comrade Pours Over It
A Few Drops Of Water; He Then Mashes Up The Moistened Flour Into A
Paste, Which He Pulls Into Small Pieces, And Thrusts Into The
Embers.
His way of baking exactly resembles the craft or mystery
of roasting chestnuts as practised by children; there is the same
prudence and circumspection in choosing a good berth for the
morsel, the same enterprise and self-sacrificing valour in pulling
it out with the fingers.
The manner of my daily march was this. At about an hour before
dawn I rose and made the most of about a pint of water, which I
allowed myself for washing. Then I breakfasted upon tea and bread.
As soon as the beasts were loaded I mounted my camel and pressed
forward. My poor Arabs, being on foot, would sometimes moan with
fatigue and pray for rest; but I was anxious to enable them to
perform their contract for bringing me to Cairo within the
stipulated time, and I did not therefore allow a halt until the
evening came. About midday, or soon after, Mysseri used to bring
up his camel alongside of mine, and supply me with a piece of bread
softened in water (for it was dried hard like board), and also (as
long as it lasted) with a piece of the tongue; after this there
came into my hand (how well I remember it) the little tin cup half-
filled with wine and water.
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