The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-02

sisted OF large piece OF boiled mutton, a
kind of batter made of ground wheat and
melted butter, boiled rice, fresh dates. figs,
sour camels milk and coffee-real Mocha,
that never by any chance comes to western
lands. The stun that deluded Englishmen
gulp down as coffee an Arab menial would
not put to his lips. The truth is that the
untraveled Briton never sees Mocha. What
passes with him as such is only the refuse
of all the plantations OF Arabia. and often
of plantations outside Arabia, gathered in
the interest of shippers, and greatly to the
prejudice Of occidental palates and stom-
achs. The pale, havorless berries sent to
western Europe aud America are to the
rich, brown, aromatic berries valued by
eastern peoples what the sour crab apple is
TO the lucious nectarine, yet the swells Of
London and Paris drink the muddy mix
ture served To them as coffee with symp-
toms of delight. Truly, ignorance has its
enjoyments and consultations. As for my
telf, my nose never comes over "a cup Of the
English preparation without causing me
On inward shiver of disgust.
Tho meal was all brought In together,
heapei on one huge wooden trencher, and
what had been on the fire was eaten scald-
lHk DOl Win tic HhKtEc, lOE but aTdDS
scorn the frlvolity of knives and forks. I
found no difficulty whatever in reverting
to the methods of Adam. The batter l
could make nothing Of, since IL was like
putty in my hands, and the mutton seemed
none too cleanly dressed. but on the rice
and fruit fell with the furious zeal of
famishing man, being indeed as empty as a
dry well.
Tho mail Gpfoha1 1ttara1lv Eofchad fOr
Arab hospitality enjoins that guest shall
eat while a morsel remains-we washed our
hands, an operation that was highly neces-
sary, aud went into the garden TO smoke
the pipe OF peace under the outrageous
cover Of date palms.
cannot express the luxury of reclining
in that verdurous scene, watching the sun
descending TO "his chambers" in the west.
Put mind and body at rest after racking
both: let fruits and blossoms and green
masses Of foliage take the place of a baked
and blesLcd wilderness. After a raging
fever OF thirst let water plash and sparkle
in fountain and stream. Instead of torrid,
noxious blasts, let
Gentle gales
flaming their oderiferous wings dispense
Native perfumes and whisper whence they
stolo
lho,e balmy spohs.
and. above all, let sense Of human cordial
ity and sympathy replace the distress of
the outcast, and you may dimly conceive
my feelings Of quiet Joy and deep content.
Everything was In unison with my mood,
from the mystic splendors of the encircling
mountains to the soft beauty and incense
OF the radiant, mellowy groves close nc
hand. We spoke not a word. In delicious
silence we saw the gold waning, and the
rose flushing. and mountain, plain and tree
shining with shifting glory that was like
an efiluent flood of light and color from the
open doors Of heaven. Then down dropped
the sun, darkness rushed upon the land
and we went inside. Said Achmet lost no
time in reminding me of the promise 20
tell my story.
He listened 10 it with the immovable
countenance OF the sphinx, sucking quietly
at his pipe, his eyes fast ON the ground
When the recital was over, he raised his
face 70 mine.
"Thou hast been in great peril, my son."
he said, ''and such az thou never couldst
have escaped except the hand OF God were
with thee or surety thou art reserved
for some great work"
2 asked him IL he had any idea who and
what the men were who had plundered and