Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-07-29
THE STORY TELLER.
KINDNESS OF A PANTHER.

During the enterprsing expedition into Up
per Egypt, by Gen. Dessaix, provincial sol
der fell into the power Of a tribe Of Arabs,
called Magraubins, and was then carried into
the desert, beyond the cataract of The Nile. In
order TO a safe distance between themselves and
the French army, the Magraubins made
forced march and did not stop till night closed
in They encamped around fountain sur
rounded by palm trees. Not supposing their
prisoner would attempt toescape, they content
ed themselves with merely binding his hands,
and after having fed their horses, and made
their supper upon dates, they all slept sonndly.
As soon as the French pnsoner was convinced
of this fact, he began TO gnaw the cords that
bound him, and soon regained the liberty of
his hands. He seized a clrbne, and took the
precaution 10 provide himself with some dry
dates and little bag of grain, and armed with
a scmetar, started off in the direction Of the
French army.
In his eagerness TO arrive at place of safe
ty he urged that already weary horse until the
generous animal fell down dead, and left his
rider alone in the midst of the desert. For
long time the Frenchman walked on with the
perseverance, of runaway slave, but he was at
last obliged to stop. The day was finished !;
notwithstanding the beauty and freshness IF
oriental nights, he did not feel strength enough
10 pursue his journey. Having reached little
cluster of palms, which had gladdened his
heart at distance, he laid his head upon stone
and slept, without taking any precautions for
defence. ...I .-.-.
He was awakened by the pitiless rays of the
sun, which fell upon him with intolerable fer
vor, for in his WEAKNESS he had reposed on the
side opposite 10 the morning shadows of the
majestic palms. The prospect around filled
him with despair. In every direction nothing
met his eye but wide oceau of sand, spark
ling and dancing like dagger in the sunshine !;
the pure brilllahcy of the sky left the imagina-
tion nothing to desire. Not cloud obscured
its splendor, not zephyr moved the surface of
the desert. The earth and the heavens seemed
on fire. There was a mild and awful majesty
in the universal stiffness. God, in all his in
fnity, seemed present TO to the soul
The desolate wanderer thought of the foun-
tains and roses of his own native provinces,
and wept aloud. He clasped the palm, as if it
had been living friend. He shouted to re-
leve the forgetfulness of utter solitude. The
wide wilderness sent back sharp sound from
the distance, but no echo was awakened. The
echo was in his head. With melancholy steps he
walked around the emnence on which the
palm trees grew. To his great joy he discov-
cred on the opposite side sort of natural grot-
to, formed by pile of granite. Hope was
awakened in his breast. The palm woods fur
nished him with dates for food, and human be-
ings might come that way before they were
exhausted. Perhaps another party of Magrau-
bins, whose wandering life began to have
some charms for his imagination-or he might
hear the noise of approaching canuon-for
Bonaparte was then passing over Egypt. The
frenchman experienced sudden transition
IRON the deepest despair TO the widest Joy
ne occupied himself during the day with cut
ting down some of the palm trees, to defend
ihe mou'n OF the grotto against wild beasts
which would probably come in the night time
to drink at the rivulet flowing at the foot of the
palms. Notwithstanding the eagerness uro.
duced by fear of being devoured in his sleep
he coud not finish his Notifications during the
day. Towards evening the mighty tree hs
had been cutting fell to the ground, with
crash that resounded through the desert, as
solitude had uttered deep groan. ,...
But like an heir, who soon ceases to mourl
over rich patient, lie instantly began to stri
off the broad and beautiful leaves to form hi