The two Arabs ascended first, and then stretched out their hands to pull me from one block to another.

I preferred climbing over the smaller blocks without assistance.

In three quarters of an hour's time I had gained the summit of the pyramid.
For a long time I stood lost in thought, and could hardly realise the fact that I was really one of the favoured few who are happy enough to be able to contemplate the most stupendous and imperishable monument ever erected by human hands.

At the first moment I was scarcely able to gaze down from the dizzy height into the deep distance; I could only examine the pyramid itself, and seek to familiarise myself with the idea that I was not dreaming.
Gradually, however, I came to myself, and contemplated the landscape which lay extended beneath me.

From my elevated position I could form a better estimate of the gigantic structure, for here the fact that the base was buried in sand did not prejudice the general effect.