Our visit to Aden has been short but very agreeable; it is not by any
means such a dreadful place as we had always fancied. Most of the
people we have seen to-day seem rather to like it; there is good
boating, excellent sea fishing, moderate shooting, and many rides and
excursions. A vehicle of some sort is an absolute necessity, however,
if you want to see anything of your friends, for the three divisions
of the settlement are at least four miles apart, and the heat is far
too great for driving or riding in the middle of the day, except on
business. I cannot say, however, that we ourselves found it
intolerably hot to-day.
CHAPTER XXVII.
TO SUEZ.
_Round the decay_
_Of that colossal wreck; boundless and bare_
_The lone and level sands stretch far away._
_Tuesday, April 17th_.--The breeze still continued and freshened, and
we sailed along pleasantly before it, finding it a great relief to be
rid of the thud and beat of the engine. There is no vibration, but the
noise is unpleasant. About eleven o'clock we passed the island of
Perim, a most desolate-looking place. I do not wonder that officers so
much dislike being quartered there. It is an important position
though, and is shortly to be strengthened, when water-tanks will be
built, and attempts made to cultivate the soil.
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