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Page 43
pre'cious, _of great price; costly_.
wea'ry, _very tired_.
refresh'ing, _cooling; reviving_.
* * * * *
ALI, THE BOY CAMEL-DRIVER.
PART II.
Poor Ali suffered like the rest from terrible thirst. He drank the last
drop of water from his water-bottle, and thought of the morrow with
fear.
He was so tired when night came, he was glad to lie down by the side of
Meek-eye and go to sleep. Ali slept, but before morning, was awakened by
the sound of voices.
He listened, and heard the chief driver tell one of the merchants that,
if they did not find water very soon, the next day a camel must be
killed, in order to get the water contained in its stomach.
This is often done in cases of great need in the desert, the stomach of
the camel being so formed as to hold a great quantity of water.
Ali was not surprised to hear such a thing spoken of; but what was his
distress and alarm, when he heard the merchant propose that it should be
"the boy's camel" that should be killed!
The merchant said the other camels were of too good a kind, and of too
much value; while, as to this young boy, what business had he to have a
camel of his own?
It would be better far, they said, for him to lose his camel than for
him to die, like the rest, of thirst. And so it was decided that
Meek-eye should be killed, unless water were found the next morning.
Ali slept no more. His heart was full of grief; but his grief was mixed
with courage and resolution. He said to himself that Meek-eye should not
die.
His father had trusted him to bring the camel, and what would he say if
he should arrive at Suez without it? He would try to find his way alone,
and leave the caravan as soon as possible.
That night when all was quiet, and the merchant and camel-driver had
gone to sleep, Ali arose, and gently patting the neck of Meek-eye, awoke
him.
He placed his empty bag and water-bottles on his back, and seating
himself on him, made signs for the creature to rise, and then suddenly
started off.
Tramp, tramp, tramp, went Meek-eye over the soft sand. The night was
cool and refreshing, and Ali felt stronger and braver with every tramp.
The stars were shining brightly, and they were his only guides.
He knew the star which was always in the north, and the one which was in
the west after the sun had gone down. He must keep that star to the
right, and he would be sure to be going towards the south.
He journeyed on till day began to dawn. The sun came up on the edge of
the desert, and rose higher and higher. Ali felt faint, weary, and
thirsty, and could scarcely hold himself on to Meek-eye. When he thought
of his father and mother, he took courage again, and bore up bravely.
The sun was now at its height. Ali fancied he saw a palm-tree in the
distance. It seemed as if Meek-eye saw it also, for he raised his head
and quickened his step.
It was not long before Ali found himself at one of those pleasant green
islands which are found throughout the desert, and are called oases.
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