Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1877 — An Incident of Gen. McClellan’s Nile Trip. [ARTICLE]

An Incident of Gen. McClellan’s Nile Trip.

As an instance of the dread inspired by the authorities, I will mention a circumstance that occurred to us. Between Gebel el Tayr and Minieh, we were sailing rapidly, with a strong north wind that made the river very rough, when Achmet called me to the deck. The river in front was covered with native vessels, and some 400 or 500 yards ahead was a group floating down the river, standing on and clinging to something just below the surface. As some native boats were close to these people, and heading toward them, we did pot doubt that they would relieve them, when, to our surprise and horror, they passed on without an effort to aid them, and the poor wretches floated past, shrieking and imploring help. Of course, we at once, let go the sheet, and sent our sandal after the drowning men. Opr sandal and that of the “ Zarifa” succeeded in rescuing all, after they had floated down about a.mile further, and we soon had them on board. There were thirteen, of various colors and conditions—among them a woman. They had been three hours in the water, and were nearly dead with cold and fright. From all that we could learn more than that number had perished before we saw them. Borne of them were merchants en route to Cairo to make purcha es, and, iu their alarm, had thrown away considerable sums of money. Our sailors were very prompt in saving them, and, when we haa them on board, were as kind as possible in giving them food, diying their clothes, etc. Scores of native boats must have passed close by them without an attempt at rescoe. Boon after they were safely on oar boat, Achmet told me that the crew were anxious that I should shield them from any harm for their good, action. Naturally, I was astonished, when it at length appeared that the* cause of apprehension was the same that had prevented the native boats from rendering assistance, it was fear that, had any perished, all who took part in tbe deliverance would be thrown Into prison as witnesses; and once get a man Into prison, no matter for what cause, his chances of egress are faint indeed. The spar of the authorities is so great, that these naturally kind-hearted tflen will see a fellow-creature die nttber than incur the risk of saving him. It'appeared that the woman had been to Minieh to visit her son, a mere lad, who was in prison. Her story was, that the Sheik otter tillage had given him some order which he had forgotten to execute, whereupon, as the readiest method of improving his memory for the future, the aheik choked him uutil he fell senseless. Therefore, his numerous brothers and sisters, thinking

• nr ■#**■ ■*PB || « ■ «**■ film dead, howled as .Orientals only dan;! an, by way of teaching the family not to make a fan aboiUtrifles, the Sheik sent the boy to prison far two mouths. When evening l , and expri rescue of the people, I askfldtthe favor of story were true. Next day he Was released, and I was informed that his sent tepee of two months’ imprisonment had been for feigning death l—Scribner’s Monthly. *