Izhák’s absent camels, which had been kept close at hand pending1 the issue of this stormy debate, being now brought in, the ground was speedily cleared of the remaining baggage; and satisfied with the specious2 assurance of the Ras el Káfilah, that he would on no account tarry beyond nightfall of the following day, the party, relieved from their anxiety, mounted after five o’clock, and galloped3 seven miles along the sea-beach to the camp at Dullool,—the loose sand being so perforated and undermined in every part by the hermit4 crab5, as to render the sieve-like road truly treacherous6 and unpleasant.
The grassy7 nook occupied by the tent was situated8 at the abutment of a spur from the wooded Jebel Goodah, evidently of volcanic9 origin, which gradually diminishes in height, until it terminates, one hundred yards from the shore, in a thick jungle of tamarisk and acacia, the former covered with salt crystals. Hornblende, in blocks, was scattered10 along the beach, and, wherever decomposed11, it yielded fine glittering black sand, so heated under the noontide sun as to burn the naked foot. The movable camp of a horde12 of roving Bedouin shepherds, who, with very slender habitations, possess no fixed13 abode14, was erected15 near the wells; and a quarrel with the followers16, respecting the precious element, having already led to the drawing of creeses, silver was again in requisition to allay17 the impending18 storm.
The heat on the 2nd of June was almost insupportable; but the sultry day proved one of greater quiet than had fallen to the lot of the Embassy since its first landing. Late in the evening, when a cool sea-breeze had set in, Ali Shermárki rode into camp, and delivered a letter which had been slipped into his hand by the Sultán, appealing against the hardship of being left without remuneration for his diligent19 services, praying that his old heart might be made glad, and hoping that all might meet again ere death should call them—a wish responded to by no single individual of the British party.
Neither Izhák nor any of his followers made their appearance, notwithstanding that the redemption of the solemn promise passed was anxiously watched until midnight. At gun-fire the next morning, however, the arrival of the whole being reported, orders were issued to strike the tent, a measure which was doggedly21 opposed by the Ras el Káfilah, whose brow again darkened as he declared his resolution not to stir from Dullool until three of his camels, which were said to have strayed, should be recovered; and deaf alike to remonstrance22 or entreaty23, he finally withdrew to a distance, taking his seat in sullen24 mood beneath a tree.
The schooner25 had meanwhile fished her anchor, and was now getting under weigh for the purpose of standing20 up within range of the next halting ground. The mules26 were harnessed to the gun, and the tent and baggage packed. Ali Shermárki was deputed to acquaint Izhák with these facts, and to intimate firmly, that unless the order to load were given without another moment’s delay, minute guns would be fired as a signal to bring up the brig from Tajúra, when the promise made yesterday by the English would be found more binding27 than those of the Danákil had hitherto proved. This menace had the desired effect, and after three hours of needless detention28, the party commenced its third hot march along the sea-beach, whence the hills gradually recede29. Bedouin goat-herds occupied many wells of fresh water, which were denoted by clumps30 of date trees entwined by flowering convolvuli, whose matted tendrils fix the movable sands of the shore; and late in the forenoon the camp was formed at the pool of Sagállo, only three miles from the former ground, but affording the last supply of water to be obtained for thirty more.
An extensive and beautiful prospect31 of the western portion of the Bay of Tajúra had now opened, bound in on all sides by a zone of precipitous mountains, in which the gate leading into Goobut el Kharáb was distinctly marked by a low black point, extending from the northern shore. The schooner’s services were volunteered to admit of a nearer inspection32 of the “basin of foulness;” but no sooner had she stood out to sea than signal guns fired from the camp announced the arrival of another packet from Shoa. The courier had been forty-four days on the journey, and the tidings he brought respecting the road, although highly satisfactory, added yet another instance to the many, of the small reliance that can be placed on information derived33 from the Danákil, who, even when disinterested34, can rarely indeed be induced to utter a word of truth.
The strong party feeling entertained towards Mohammad Ali by the magnates of Tajúra, now vented35 itself in divers36 evil-minded and malicious37 hints, insinuating38 the defection of the absentee, who had been unavoidably detained by business, some hours after the last of the sea-port heroes had joined. “Where now is your friend Ali Mohammad?” “Where is the man who was to supply water on the road?” were the taunting39 interrogatories from the mouths of many; but come the son of Ali Abi did, to the confusion of his slanderers, long ere the sun had set, bringing secret intelligence that he had sent to engage an escort from his own tribe; and the whole party being now at last assembled, it was resolved in full conclave40, that as not a drop of water could be procured41 for three stages in advance, the entire of the next day should be devoted42 to filling up the skins, which done, the caravan43 should resume its march by night—a manoeuvre44 that savoured strongly of a design to favour the clandestine45 return to Tajúra of certain of the escort, who had still domestic affairs to settle.
Thus far the conduct of the son of the Rookhba chief had formed a notable contrast to the proceedings46 of his backbiters. Whilst Izhák and his stubborn partisans47 had positively48 declined to move according to their agreement, unless a further most extravagant49 and unconscionable sum were paid in advance for their anticipated services, and had altogether assumed a bullying51 tone, coupled with a most impertinent and overbearing demeanour, this scion50 of a savage52 house that holds in its hands the avenues betwixt Shoa and Tajúra, and could at pleasure cut off communication with the coast, had never applied53 for aught save a trifling54 sum for the present maintenance of his family, and since the first éclaircissement, had, to the best of his ability, striven to render himself useful and agreeable to the party about to pass through his country.
A most unprofitable discussion, which was prolonged until eleven the following night, had for its object to persuade the transmission of baggage in advance to the Salt Lake, in consequence of the carried supply of water being, after all, considered insufficient55 for three days’ consumption. But the proposal was negatived upon prudent56 grounds, the honesty of the intentions by which it had been dictated57, seeming at best, extremely questionable58, and no one feeling disposed to trust the faithless guides further than they could be seen, with property of value.
Scarcely were the weary eyes of the party closed in sleep, than the long 32-pounder of the “Constance,” proclaiming the midnight hour, sounded to boot and saddle. The Babel-like clamour of loading was at length succeeded by a lull59 of voices, and the rumbling60 of the galloper61 wheels over the loose shingle62, was alone heard in the still calm of the night, above the almost noiseless tread of the cushion-footed camels, which formed an interminable line. The road, lit by the full moon, shining brightly overhead, lay for the first two or three miles along the beach, and then, crossing numerous water-courses, struck over the southern shoulder of Jebel Goodah, the distance from whose lofty peak each march had reduced.
Blocks and boulders63 varying in size from an 18 pound shot, to that of Ossa piled upon Pelion, aided by deep chasms65, gullies, and waterways, rendering66 the ascent67 one of equal toil68 and peril69, cost the life of a camel, which fell over a precipice70 and dislocated the spine71; whereupon the conscientious72 proprietor73, disdaining74 to take further heed75 of the load, abandoned it unscrupulously by the wayside. Gáleylaféo, a singular and fearful chasm64 which was navigated76 in the first twilight77, did not exceed sixty feet in width; its gloomy, perpendicular78 walls of columnar lava79, towering one hundred and fifty feet overhead, and casting a deep deceitful shadow over the broken channel, half a mile in extent. Déeni, in his customary strain of amplification80, had represented this frightful81 pass to be entered through a trap-door, in order to clear which it was necessary for a loaded camel to forget its staid demeanour, and bound from rock to rock like a mountain kid. The devil and all his angels were represented to hold midnight orgies in one of the most dismal82 of the many dark recesses83; and the belief was fully84 confirmed by the whooping85 of a colony of baboons86, disturbed by the wheels of the first piece of ordnance87 that had ever attempted the bumping passage.
Dawn disclosed the artillery88 mules in such wretched plight89 from their fatiguing90 night’s labour, that it was found necessary to unlimber the gun, and place it with its carriage on the back of an Eesah camel of Herculean strength, provided for the contingency91 by the foresight92 of Mohammad Ali; and although little pleased during the imposition of its novel burthen, the animal, rising without difficulty, moved freely along at a stately gait. The same uninteresting volcanic appearance characterised the entire country to the table-land of Warelissán, a distance of twelve miles. Dreary93 and desolate94, without a trace of vegetation saving a few leafless acacias, there was no object to relieve the gaze over the whole forbidding expanse. In this barren unsightly spot the radiation was early felt from the masses of black cindery95 rock, which could not be touched with impunity96. The sand soil of the desert reflecting the powerful beams of the sun, lent a fearful intensity97 to the heat, whilst on every side the dust rose in clouds that at one moment veiled the caravan from sight, and at the next left heads of camels tossing in the inflamed98 atmosphere among the bright spear-blades of the escort. But on gaining the highest point, a redeeming99 prospect was afforded in an unexpected and most extensive bird’s eye view of the estuary100 of Tajúra, now visible in all its shining glory, from this, its western boundary. Stretching away for miles in placid101 beauty, its figure was that of a gigantic hour-glass; and far below on its glassy bosom102 were displayed the white sails of the friendly little schooner, as, after safely navigating103 the dangerous and much-dreaded portals of Scylla and Charybdis, never previously104 braved by any craft larger than a jolly boat—bellying to the breeze, she beat gallantly105 up to the head of Goobut el Kharáb.
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1
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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2
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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3
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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4
hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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5
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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6
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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7
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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9
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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10
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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11
decomposed
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| 已分解的，已腐烂的 | |
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12
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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13
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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14
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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15
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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16
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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17
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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18
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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19
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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20
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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21
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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22
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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23
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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24
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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25
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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26
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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27
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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28
detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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29
recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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30
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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31
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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32
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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33
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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34
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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35
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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37
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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38
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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39
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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40
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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41
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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42
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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43
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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44
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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45
clandestine
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| adj.秘密的，暗中从事的 | |
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46
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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47
partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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48
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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49
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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50
scion
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| n.嫩芽，子孙 | |
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51
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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52
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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53
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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54
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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55
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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56
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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57
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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58
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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59
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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60
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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61
galloper
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| 骑马奔驰的人，飞驰的马，旋转木马； 轻野炮 | |
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62
shingle
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| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
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63
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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64
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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65
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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66
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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67
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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68
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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69
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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70
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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71
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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72
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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73
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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74
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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75
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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76
navigated
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的过去式和过去分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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77
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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78
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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79
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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80
amplification
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| n.扩大，发挥 | |
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81
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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82
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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83
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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84
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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85
whooping
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| 发嗬嗬声的，发咳声的 | |
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86
baboons
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| n.狒狒( baboon的名词复数 ) | |
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87
ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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88
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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89
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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90
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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91
contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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92
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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93
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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94
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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95
cindery
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| adj.灰烬的，煤渣的 | |
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96
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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97
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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98
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
redeeming
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| 补偿的，弥补的 | |
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100
estuary
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| n.河口，江口 | |
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101
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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102
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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103
navigating
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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104
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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105
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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