The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-10-02
Ishmael n child of the tribe and Ouada's


Desert, as well AS to the father who
was watching at the bedside of his
daughter.
"That generous child will be a victim
of his devotion he will die of fatigue -
or II q tiger devour him?" thus thought
the old man.
"When shall arrive?" cried Ishmael
"every minute takes me farther away
from her. and every minute brings her
nearer to the grave !"
He presses something to his heart II
is little scent bag, given to him by
Ouada as token of her tender affection
for him. He is but poor herd driver,
1shmael, but he Is as courageous as a
lion and as gentle as a new born
lamb. He is especially devoted to the
Chief of his tribe. All what would he
not do to save the daughter of the Shelk.
He left his poor mother, who is Sleep
ing now, but will be in depair to.mor-
row, when she opens her eyes and sees
him no longer. But then Ouada per-
haps will have closed her eyes forever
ely! fly fly my faithful compan-
ion," cries Ishmaol, to his camel. "You
will perhaps fall dead with fatigue, but
l must sacrifice you as l sacrifice my
self, for the daughter of the father of
my tribe"
/ The shadows vanish a reddish light
appears in the horizon 1t Is day. The
indofatigablc camel in his flight scarce
| ly touches the sand with his feet. Ish.
mael spanting for his breath-perspira-
ton rolls down his face In torrents. His
eyes are eagerly fixedon whitish line,
which are the ruins Of Karnac he has
! gone over the one hundred and twenty
/ miles. He seeks, finds and culls the
pomegrantes so ardently desired. In
his joy he speaks to them as If they
were able to understand him: "Ov'
says he TO them, "you will cure Ouada
you will restore her to life! nnd the
Sheik will live"'
Scarcely does he take time to quench
his thirst at Il neighboring spring shad-
ed with palm trees. He caresses with
gratitude his faithful camel, and seem.
to say to him, with fearful eyes: : "You
are stronger, more enduring than am
Perhaps ] will perish in going ovei
agaid the one hundred and twenty miles
of desert waste, which separate me from
Ouada. My dear compeuian, il ! di,
on the way, follow yourcourse ~'',.'h tn,
rnpidity of lightning. | have hrml,
attached to your back the leather bag
which contains the precious pome
granates. If you feel yourself dying
also, struggle with death as far as tn,
threshold of the tent of my fnthe
Sadcm."
As III the animal had understood hi
mute prayer, no looks at Iskmael will
that expression of obedience and faith
fulness peculiar to the domestic ami
mails. He stoops, with his knees ben
under him, and, rising on the sand, il
order that Ishn,ey, may mount hin
again, flies back through the desc,
with the switness Of an arrow cleavin
the air.
The day brightens; the dew has re
freshed the plants and trees oft Oasis
but the Star of the tribe is growing pal
and dim. The old Shek, in despair
goes continually from the threshold q
his tent to his daughters bed whcr
her life is slowly ebbing out, and from
his daughters bedside to the thresho',
of his tent again, to cast an eager lOol
over the vast expanse of the desert. ~
it not Ishmael coming, that black spo
detaching itself from the light-colore,
sand where it seems to blend with tn
blue sky : Alas no, it is an Ostric
pursuing its solitary way. That clou'
of dust yonder, is it not raised by tn
step Of Il camel" Alas alas no, it is
gazele crossing the desert" Thus neal
ly the whole day is passed in palnfu
deceptions. "Allah Allah am OLD
may the Angel of Death take me in
stead of my daughter
There is no more hope! The docto
has Just said that Ouada is going to die
The whole tribe surrounds the tent q
the Sheik, The sun is setting, the da
is drawing towards close. IL Quad
dead? No. But what Is that tumul
breaking in upon the gloomy silence {
mourning:
AS if he was precipitated from tn
! clouds, so rapid in his course, n came
cleaves the crowd a man isseen on hi
back covered with dust, with perspirs
tion, and completely exhausted wit
> fatigue. "lt Is Ishmael." That joyfu
cry is repeated by every month.
rouses old Sadem from the stupor of hi
grief. The young man drags himse
> to the feet of his Sheik and to the bed
side Of his dying Ouada; she herse
i, had started when she heard the cries {
the people.
,, The doctor opened the bag in whic
!, we're contained the precious pomegran,
. ties, he pressed the juice from then
which he carefully colls2ted, and moi
a tened hia patients lipN~ith 1t. I4itt
By little.as the water retirns iu driet
up spring, II current OF life rises to til
pale cheeks olDuada; her eyes becan
brighter and she has strength enoug
now TO take deep draught Of the hea
' ing beverage.
q "Eour.daughter Is saved!n cries Il
doctor to old Sadem.
| They now bestow every care upC
: the generous Ishmael. They carry hi
/ outside of the tent and the cool breat
i of the evening breeze, with the restor
= tives they give him, soon revives h
weary frame.
e "Let all the tribe come together! N
:, daughter ~ saved will keep N
J. promises" The old Sheik spoke wi
hope and happiness.