The Story Teller of the Desert—"Backsheesh!" or, Life and Adventures in the Orient

by Thomas Wallace Knox

"The Story Teller of the Desert—'Backsheesh!'" by Thomas Wallace Knox is a collection of travel accounts written in the late 19th century. This work documents the author’s adventures and explorations throughout various regions of the Orient, including Turkey, Greece, and Egypt, blending humor with insightful observations about the cultures and landscapes he encounters. The narrative likely presents a light-hearted perspective on travel, enriched with vivid descriptions and anecdotes. At the start of the journey, Knox details his departure from New York harbor on a steamer in the spring of 1873. He describes the initial smooth sailing, contrasting it with the stormy seas that follow and the ensuing sea-sickness experienced by the passengers, particularly an amusing character he refers to as "the Judge." The author injects humor into the narrative as he recounts the chaotic and often ridiculous scenarios aboard the ship, such as a race for a rolling lemon and the eccentricities of his fellow travelers, setting the tone for an engaging exploration of the adventures that lie ahead.