The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-25

had to think more of speed than of comfort
There was general look of disappoint
ment at this speech, which urged Tabal t
appeal again and to advance reasons fol
stoePHPing; ping so,
| thee" returned Abou Kuram shortly
| Look thou TO the way and leave the res,
to me- And methinks thou hadst better
mend thy pace"
After this no man burst speak, and keen
| rs was tho disappointment there was nc
murmuring-only the men sat n little more
grlmly and prodded little more viciously
with their riding sticks, As we passed
many man turned with yearning eyes Ia
the verdurous spot, thinking perhaps he
should be dead ere another came in sight.
III the forenoon had been hot the after
noon had an atmosphere of living fire. Yet
we toiled on, dissolvingan open mouthed,
and wondering how long we could stand
the burning lances of the sun.
speak of the rank and file As for Abou
huram, he seemed to be oblivious Of heat or
thirst or fatigue. How / envied him,
While my mouth was cracking he was evil
IDENTIFY as cool and moist az a ripe near
koor Ali, who rode beside me, must have
noticed the painful twitching of my lips
Tor looking in my face with an expression
OF concern he asked If / was thirsty.
AS dry as a baked brick, - / croaked
koor Ais son, Ahmed a lad about NV
own age rode beside us, and on hearing nv
raven voice burst into fit Of laughter.
What art thou laughing at. Ahmedf"
demanded Abou kuram, turning slightly
in his saddle. Ahmed pointed to me.
The stranger croakcth with thirst " he
said, ''ere we are half way over the desert
tried to explain but failed; my mouth
Il.
for "A century.
Give him thy water skin. Koor Ali.r
said Abou kuram, lest he faint. II were
i'll to die in the desert, he added, smiling
al me. 49,
The water was dingy and beginning to
smell badly, but just then "A stagnaut uool
would have been sweet, and ! took II huge
gulp. Taking another, l held IL in nv
mouth for minute, then squirtcd it out
sending 1t, as If by pure accident, over the
sprightly Ahmed
by my faith, | like not to be spat on by
an infidel," he cried, grsspiug his spear as
if to have Mt me-
The laugh was now on my side, though
perceived the danger Of indulging in it,
Twas but an accident" said apolo-
geticelly yet it is good and will cool
thee"
tried to propitiate him by handing him
his fathers water skin to drink, but he dis
dainfully declined.
Nay. l am not babe like thee" he
salt; 1nou sholiidst have brought thy
mo,her with thee, and he tossed his head
as IL ne were safe from the weakness OF
thirst in desert land.
Three mortal hours Of painting toll and
tripping sweat mad yet to pass ere Al bou
huiam ordered a matt, and then it was but
TO alsmount, swallow moutbful of dry
oates ahu ioui lukewarn water and gcram-
PIE INTO the saddle again, Through the
pfo'nhS afternoon we Stewed and gasped
aild pushed on, faintins, never draw ing rein
tlli suhdown' when We stopped for pray
erS ana the evening meal had scarcely
eaten "hen was asleep on tine sand, and
my eyes appeared TO nave Just closed when
those aoolhinaDie drums were beating the
oraer 70 mount and march again. Words
cahilo" eeii now sore and tired ] was or
now l ionged TO lie down and be at peace.
ne iePiihE was as II some one mad pound
en me imp and nature WAS slowly stifien.
ing up again WIN the Joints all out of
place anu every muscle and ligsmeut
s'Fetcheu Deyonu endurance. But as the
ARABS sald nothing OF fatigue lwonld nave
cun my tongue ouU rather than complain.
flseo''ss we painted 90 through scorch-
me- sahus uhdef a naming sky, and five
hlShtS the otlght ARABIAN moon lighted us
on our tfachless, hnrrying march BY the
lniru nAS man ana beast were showing de-
clded Signs of exhaustion. CRmels fell and
We're led to.dle' sometimes with their bur