Not so, however. All the low parts of the
valley were already covered with a turbid stream, that broke fiercely
round the trunks of the trees; and at length the mounting tide
threatened our tent. Yusuf then made a little child's dam around, as if
in sport; but in a few minutes this was swept away, and we found
ourselves standing in the water.
It was now absolutely necessary to move; and our people, who seemed
until then to have been paralysed by the humidity, as we in northern
climates sometimes are with cold, began to bestir themselves, and to
transfer our tents and baggage to a piece of ground which rose
considerably above the level of the valley, and was surrounded with
rushing waters. The remainder of the caravan imitated us, and we soon
saw them all occupying the summits of little islands, whither the
camels, at least such as did not instinctively take refuge there
themselves, were also driven. This was a good opportunity of seeing a
specimen of African character. The Kailouees made no preparation for the
deluge until the last moment, and then seemed absolutely to make the
worst possible. They rolled their bales of dry goods in the water as if
they were so many logs of wood, although by lifting them up a little all
might have at first been saved quite dry. Meanwhile the black servants
were dancing, singing, and rolling about in the waters, as if some
sudden blessing had overtaken them.
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