I Cut Away My Line, As The Hook Was Deeply Swallowed; And
After Having Washed This Beautiful Fish, I Assisted Bacheet To
Carry It To The Camp, Where It Was Laid Upon A Clean Mat At The
Tent-Door For Admiration.
This species of fish is considered by
the Arabs to be the best in the river; it is therefore called 'El
Baggar' (the cow).
It is a species of perch, and we found it
excellent--quite equal to a fine trout. I made an exact sketch of
it on the spot, after which the greater portion was cut up and
salted; it was then smoked for about four hours. The latter
process is necessary to prevent the flies from blowing it, before
it becomes sufficiently dry to resist their attacks.
"For several days I passed my time in fishing, with the varying
success that must attend all fishermen. Upon the extreme verge of
the river's bank were dense bushes of the nabbuk, about fifteen
feet high, but so thickly massed with green foliage that I cut
out a tunnel with my hunting-knife, and completed a capacious
arbour, thoroughly protected from the sun. In this it was far
more agreeable to pass the day than at the camp; accordingly we
arranged the ground with mats and carpets, and my wife converted
the thorny bower into an African drawing-room, where she could
sit with her work and enjoy the view of the river at her feet,
and moreover watch the fishing."
CHAPTER X.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 230 of 556
Words from 62215 to 62468
of 151461
