The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-20

1ne stars Uekan W cume OUT presently
very large and lustrous and suppose, to tn,
proper eye, full Of poetry. By and by a sill
very lightness fell on the landscape, and {
little latter the white moon rose in a sap
phire sky, revealing the haggard dreariness
of the scene as clearly as il the time wers
MONDAY.
got to my feet, and some strange bird.
that had their dwelling among the fast
nesses of this desert focked about me In
evident curiosity, then flew away, scream
ing at my invasion of their retreat Nc
other living creature did see or hear. Toe
weak and drowsy to make any effort fol
succor, crawled into shady spot beneath
the ledge Of a great rock, and in spite Of
trouble and pain soon fell asleep.
awoke near the dawn chilled to the
marrow-for the dewy night air in these
parts is sharp-and fallen together like an
empty sack. The pain of my stomach was
excruciating, being for all the world like a
living, consuming fame in my inside To
the tortures of hunger, too, was now added
that Of thirst, and In all the black rlyen
wilderness there was not drop of water,
Nor, what was equally disheartening, was
sign Of human abode or occupation any.
where to be seen. The temptation was
strong to lie down and rest, but as that
would be madness il / wanted to save m v
life staggered on once more, ignorant of
my direction and in the last ebb of hope
Weary hours passed-hours full of indie
scribable anguish of mind and body-with-
out bringing cheer or solace. The sun came
out. huge white hot furnace enveloped in
pale haze of its own heat. The earth
blistered and cracked under my eyes: the
rocks were scorching; it seemed as il fire
and famine were blackening the land to.
gether. A slight wind blew, but it was
the breath of the crater or sulphur pit let
loose to destroy.
Gasping to suffocation and dreading SUM-
stroke, hid in deep cleft. Here / Law
awhile In shade, but very soon the sun
smote in upon me till the walls were like
glowing iron. Crawling out, l sought an.
other refuge, which in turn became an
oven, forcing me to change. And so for
the best part of that day went from place
to place among the rocks, seeking shade
and all the while getting fainter and more
parched from want of food and water.
Late in the afternoon / resumed nv
march in sheer desperation. But it was woe
ful, heartbreaking work l had got past the
stnge Of acute pain from hunger, but the
thirst was worse agony than ever For
tunately the hot noxious wind had fallen
about noon so that breathed more freely,
but it was still the struggle OF dying man.
And indeed II relief did not come quickly
should soon cease to be in need of It,
By degrees the country grew less barren
and forbidding. Grass began to appear at
first In scanty brown patches, but gradual.
ly getting greener and more plentiful. This
heartened me a bit, and ere long to my in.
finite inv capna unnp n m n n ho,.1 a.
ofgoats in n little valley that nestled among
the cliffs.
He was nightly astonished at seeing
me, and his demeanor at first was none too
friendly. But my wretched condition must
have touched him, for when came totter.
ing and rolling down the slope to where he
stood, he stepped forward to meet me with
words of pitying inquiry. saIuted briefly
end appealed to him in heavens nane TO
let me have drink or | should die. In an
instant the Christian soul was vigorously
milking his best goat | watched till the
pail was half full of the frothng creamy
milk; then unable to forbear | snatched it
from him and drank till | choked. After
slaking myself, had some dates from his
own wallet and felt wondrously revived,
and for his charity he had as grateful
thanks as ever came from the heart of man.
W heh Ne t3tnie " talhi lolu MN only
such parts OF my story as | thought he
could understand. He was greatly amazed,
breaking out into frequent calculations at
the relation OF Abram ben Adens treach.
cry and the pillaging Of the pirates.
And what is to become of theey" he asked
suddenly
Only God knows that, answered, but
II thou wilt add to thy goodness by direct
ing me to the nearest town may perhaps
find way Of returning to my own coun-
try"
This he gladly did, but before he would
consent to my departure had to take some
moro milk and dates. Nothing loath, |
feasted second time, the gontherd joining
me in token Of good will. Then with cere-
monious embracings and many VOWS of
amity we parted
Rekindled hope is the best of all cordials.
had drunk of 1t and now pushed on new
man, terminated in body and in spirit. In
two hours was climbing range OF hills
beyond which lay the town that happened
also to be the capital of the province; in an
hour more was on the top. and Moses be-
holding the promised land could not have
gazed forward more wistfully Pausing
for moment, my eyes shaded with my
hnnd, looked down upon yerdant plain
dotted here and there with dark palm |
groves and the patriarchal flocks and herds |
of Arabia Near the further side, half hid |
by the clustering trees, was the town | |
wanted to reach. With a fluttering breast |
went on again, bounding down the slopes |
almost as joyously as if were descending |
the steep braes above kilgour.