Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

258 EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS
occupied the throne of his father for about half a century.
They instruct us concerning many valuable chronological,
historical, and geographical details, among other things
furnishing almost definitive new proof for the theory that
Dungi, " king of Ur, king of the four quarters of the
world," and Dungi, " king of Ur, king of Shumer and
Akkad," are one and the same person.
Towards the middle of February, 1900, the French explorer
descended the Tigris for the last time, in order to
reach Kud(t) el- c Amara and the scene of his activity on the
eastern bank of the Shatt el-Hai. At the same time the
present writer ascended the river, being on his way to Baghdad
and to the swamps of the c Afej. A heavy thunderstorm
was raging over the barren plains of 'Iraq, and
the muddy waters of the Tigris began suddenly to rise,
greatlv interfering with my progress, when the two steamers
came in sight of each other. I stood on the bridge of
the English " Khalifa," intently looking at the approaching
Turkish vessel, which flew the French colors from the top
of its mast. A tall figure could be faintly distinguished on
the passing boat, leaning against its
iron railing and eagerly
scanning the horizon with a field-glass. A flash of light
separated the thick black clouds which had changed day
into twilight, and illuminated the two steamers for a moment.
I recognized the features of De Sarzec, the newly
(1899) appointed minister plenipotentiary of France, who
in an instant had drawn a handkerchief, which he waved
lustilv on his fast disappearing boat as a greeting of welcome
to the representative of the Philadelphia expedition.
A month later a cordial and urgent invitation was received
from the French camp near Tello. I still regret that at
that moment mv own pressing duties at the ruins of Nuffar
did not allow of an even short visit
to Southern Babylonia,
and that consequently I missed my last chance of seeing
De Sarzec in the midst of his trenches and directing his
famous excavations in person.