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Page 41
Ali got out the trappings for the camel, and looked to the water-bottles
to see that they did not leak. His mother did all that was needed to
make him quite ready to join the next caravan that started.
Ali was delighted to think that he was to go to his father, and that at
last the day was come when, he too was to be a camel-driver, and to take
a journey with the dear old camel which he was so fond of.
He had long wanted to ride on its back across the desert, and to lie
down by its side to rest at night. He had no fear.
The camel, of which Ali was so fond, had been bought by his father with
the savings of many a year's hard work, and formed the sole riches of
the family.
Hassan was looked upon as quite a rich man by the other camel-drivers,
and Ali, besides having a great love for the animal, was proud of his
father being a camel owner.
Though it was a great creature by the side of the young boy, it would
obey the voice of Ali, and come and go at his bidding, and lie down and
rise up just as he wished. Hassan called his camel by an Arabian word,
which meant "Meek-eye."
At last, there was a caravan about to start for Suez which Ali could
join. The party met near the gates of the city, where there were some
wells, at which the water-bottles could be filled. Ali's mother
attended, and bid her son a loving farewell.
The caravan started. The camels which were to lead the way, had around
their necks jingling bells, which the others hearing, followed without
other guidance.
Ali looked about and saw his mother standing near the city gate. He took
his cap off and waved it above his head, and his mother took off the
linen cloth which she wore over her head, and waved it.
Tramp, tramp, tramp went the camels, their soft spongy feet making a
noise as they trod the ground. The camel-drivers laughed, and talked to
each other.
Ali was the only boy in the caravan, and no one seemed to notice him. He
had a stout heart, and tried not to care.
He could talk to Meek-eye, and this he did, patting the creature's back,
and telling him they would soon see his father.
The sun rose higher and higher, and the day grew hotter and hotter. The
morning breeze died away, and the noon was close and sultry.
The sand glowed like fire. There was nothing to be seen but sand and
sky. At mid-day a halt was made at one of the places well known to the
drivers, where shade and water could be had.
The water-bottles were not to be touched that day, for at this place a
little stream, which gushed from a rock, supplied enough for the men,
while the camels needed no water for many days.
After resting a short time, the kneeling camels were made to rise, the
riders first placing themselves on their backs, and the caravan then
moved on.
At night the party encamped for rest, the camels lying down, while fires
were lighted and food was prepared.
Several days were thus passed, and Ali found that he liked this kind of
life as well as he thought he should.
No Arabs were met with, nor even seen; but a danger of the desert, worse
than a party of Arabs, came upon them.
There arose one day at noon, one of those fearful burning winds which do
such mischief to the traveler and his camel. The loose sand was raised
like a cloud. It filled the nostrils and blinded the eyes.
The only thing to be done, was for the men to get off the backs of the
camels, and lie down with their faces to the earth.
After the storm had passed, they arose to continue their journey. But
the sand had been so blown as to cover the beaten track, and thus all
trace of the road was lost.
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