Page:H. D. Traill - From Cairo to the Soudan Frontier.djvu/172

154 much too "hard condition" to perspire, but he is plentifully besprinkled with the splashings from the tank. His toes dabble in the river mud; the loin cloth, which is his only garment, has become a sodden rag; but he works on cheerily, wet and warm in the delicious air, and fanned by that desert breeze which would leave him as dry as a biscuit if he paused for five minutes in his work. His rhythmic motions are so springy and elastic, his countenance is so placid and painless, his harmony with his surroundings is so complete, his understanding with his work so thorough, that one might almost see in him the original of that Perfectly Contented Man of Eastern story, whom the emissaries of the Sultan sought everywhere far and wide that their master might wear his shirt and be healed, and on whom at last they lighted—to find him shirtless, like this one, but not perhaps more free from care. For what, after all, is there to trouble him? The times are good; he is sure of his simple daily meal of