Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/221

 THE "MAN FROM COOK'S"

THE HOME OF THE "MAN FROM COOK'S"

every frown or sneer. The "Christian dog" is not as cordially hated here as in the towns nearer the coast. Our local guide, a fore-*runner of the "Man from Cook's," is a well-known citizen, who speaks just a little French. He invites us into his abode, and leading us to his house-*top, presents us to his wives and children. What misery, what discomfort, and what dirt! It is only the dryness of the desert air that keeps the pestilence at bay. In these hovels there is no comfort; the rooms are windowless and dark, the terrace on the house-*top is by day almost intolerable, baked as it is by the fiery rays of the desert sun. The sin of envy is far from us as we say farewell to this family and the place that they call