WE REACH BOULAK. 38

width. To the south, the three Pyramids of Gizeh loomed

up like isolated mountain-peaks on the verge of the Desert.

On the right hand the Mokattam Hills lay red and bare in

the sunshine, and ere long, over the distant gardens of Shoo-

bra, we caught sight of the Citadel of Cairo, and the minarets

of the mosque of Sultan Hassan. The north wind was faith-

ful : at three o'clock we were anchored in Boulak, paid our rais, gave the crew a backsheesh, for which they kissed our

hands with many exclamations of " taib I " (good !) and set out for Cairo