Our Caughnawagas in Egypt

In this vivid first‑hand account, a seasoned captain of the Caughnawaga voyageurs recounts the remarkable journey that took his North‑American Indian contingent from the rivers of Canada to the cataracts of the Nile. He explains how their reputation for endurance and river‑craft earned them a special invitation to aid the British relief expedition for Khartoum, and he guides listeners through the preparations, the departure from Quebec, and the early challenges of boarding the steamship “Ocean King.”

The narrative then shifts to the striking contrast between the familiar waterways of the St. Lawrence and the ancient Egyptian landscape, where the voyageurs confront towering pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the fierce currents of the Nile’s cataracts. Their keen observations—both practical and cultural—offer a fresh perspective on a world most Western travelers overlook, highlighting the blend of Indigenous skill and humility that carries the party forward.