Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-09-21

"Whut Good People you ought to bc.'

During the time [ was in Asia (said my
friend. | had occasion to cross a part of the
Arabian desert, toward the Red Sea. Of
course on this journey it is necessary to have
not only Il guide, but body-guard and
mine was composed of eight or nine as wild
and picturesI Iue looking Bedouins as you
would wish to sce-truc sons Of the desert,
aud Islmaclites of pure descent there could
not be much doubt about that.
They were faithful to me, however and
it was pleasant to gallop day after day
amidst this lawlcss troop, sometimes CON
versng with the shick in such Arabic as had
contrivcd to pick up, and at other times
witnessing such foats Of horsemanship as my
guards pleased to exhibit for my amusement,
or to practice for their own. In the heat of
the day we struck our tents (such tents y
and rested, as we we did also at night, Our
midday sumber was often the most profound
and the most prolonged.
One evening we had encamped as usual be-
side muddy fountain, secured our horses,
lighted our fire, and drank our coffee. My
guards were seated round the fire, smoking
and talking, while made an effort to sleep
under cover of the tent provided for my spec
ial use 1t was all in vain. The sheik had
advised me of the probability of u night at
tack from party Of maraudcrs, not of this
tribe, whom he supposed to be in our neigh
borhood, but had begged me not to be
alarmed, for my life was precious in his
sight. and safe in his hands he would de-
! lcnd me to the last drop of his hearts blood.
1t might he that half believed the report,
and more than half distrusted my respecta-
Llc friends bravery or it might be that my
sicsta had taken off the edge of drowsincss,
on that thoughts of home kept my mind
busy, or that the coffee had drunk served
as an anti-sopprifc, or that the loud talking
Of my Bedouins disturbed me. In short, |
could not sleep, and, tired Of inaction, left
my tent and drew near to the fire, which was
pleasant for, hot as are tho days Of desert
travelling the nights are often chilly
Nv guards made room for me as | came
near and seating myself beside the sheik,
lighted my pipe. and looking at the grim
c1untenances Of the ragged fellows around
me- each Of whom was armed with pistols
stuck into the belt, and musket within
reach of his hand, | wondered what my
friends in England would think if, at that
moment, they had seen me.
Ny presence did not much disturb the
Ioauacity Of Iny guards but | paid littl,
heed to their rapid conversation, till til,
shiek. turning suddenly round upon me, ex
claimed
~ hat strange men you Englishmen are I,
How SO = | asked. why strange =
, you never fast said he.
Not often | replied, laughing that is
when we can get anything to eat
Nv Arab friend laughed too for that even
ing we had supped sparsely from necessity
but, said he, is it not part of your relig
ion. You don't pray you don't give aims
you do nothing
This was Il home trust, and my conscience
felt it. | had looked upon the poor fellow
y 4 4 I. t.I tI...,u r.,t
had considered myself 50 completely in thci
rowcr, that had deemed it prudent to avoi
every topic that might rouse their passions
ia my solitary tent, at midday, | had rca
the word Of life but had concealed wit
Jealous care from my guards the knOwledg
! that | carried about with me the Christian
Koran and when ut morning and night
commended myself in prayer to God my Ma
hcr, through Christ Ny Saviour, had draw
close around me the curtain Of the tent an
i whispered low and teartully, lest | should /
overheard You have no religion, said iii
sheik you don pray you do nothing.
God forgive me, | Thought. The rebuk
is not altogether unjust
Now We continued my reprovor and h
went on boastingly to tell what their proph'
required of them, and how faithful was the
s. obedience in matters of devotion, chartl
aud self denial and while he spoke liitt
J. up my heart to God, and sought courage
a bear a feeble testimony to his word WhC
Is the sheik paused, | put my hand into NJ
I, bosom, and drew forth New Testament
Y i have religion, | said, Would you lii
" to hear what it teaches mo on these hlp
L. matters .
II Certainly would tell him =
by this time the attention of all my Gnai
was directly to me. Their quick sparkliT
Of eyes were lized icreely, as | thought, up'
VI me, their dark vis4ges looking more grim
the flashing hre around which they we
t. seated aud theH hands were ready to gra