Angels and Women (1924)

40 ANGELS AND WOMENto receive us, Father and Cheros, with longpoles, pushed from the shore and aided thewide-spread sail that propelled us slowlyalong. The great branch of the Euphrateswhich we were ascending, though now desertedand lonely, in far-gone years waslively with the boats of pilgrims to Eden,and heavy vessels bearing the products ofother lands to the great cities on its shore;but the Wicked Ones who control the affairsof the world have desolated this plain, strivingto obliterate from the memory of mankindevery reminiscence of the lost Paradise !I was too much occupied with the unaccustomedscene to find room for mournfulthoughts. Only when my eyes fell upon thesnow-white lamb resting by the green herbsprovided for his food, and I observed thegrave faces of my parents, did I rememberthe strange event of yesterday and realizethe serious object of our journey. As thehours of this delightful day drew to a close,and the declining sun veiled in mist warned