Angels and Women (1924)

40 ANGELS AND WOMEN
to receive us, Father and Cheros, with long
poles, pushed from the shore and aided the
wide-spread sail that propelled us slowly
along. The great branch of the Euphrates
which we were ascending, though now deserted
and lonely, in far-gone years was
lively with the boats of pilgrims to Eden,
and heavy vessels bearing the products of
other lands to the great cities on its shore;
but the Wicked Ones who control the affairs
of the world have desolated this plain, striving
to obliterate from the memory of mankind
every reminiscence of the lost Paradise !
I was too much occupied with the unaccustomed
scene to find room for mournful
thoughts. Only when my eyes fell upon the
snow-white lamb resting by the green herbs
provided for his food, and I observed the
grave faces of my parents, did I remember
the strange event of yesterday and realize
the serious object of our journey. As the
hours of this delightful day drew to a close,
and the declining sun veiled in mist warned