Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-08-02

the Camel, Under Canopy.
Before George had the opportunit.
Of speaking to Fortune, he was raise
from the sand and bodily lifted upoI
his camel; and by way of passin
pleasantly, his hat was damned dow!
over his eyes. He swore as he pullei
up the brim. Swearing was anothe.
accomplishment added to the list
transformations. He had deal t.
learn yet, but in his present mood h.
was likely to proceed famously. H.
readjusted the hat in time to see Ry
anne unceremoniously dumped int
one OF the yawning pack.baskets, hi
arms and legs hanging out, his head
lolling against his shoulder, exactly
like q nlarionette, cast aside for tho
time being. 4 man Of ordinary STAN
ina would have died under such treat
ment But Ryanne possessed an eX-
traordinary constitution, against which
years of periodical dissipation had az
yet made no permanent inroads. More
over, he never forgot to keep his chin
up and his waist-line down. They put
him into the paclI-basket because
there was no alternative, being as he
was incapable OF sitting upon cam
els back.
Next, George saw Fortune, unre.
sisting, placed upon the camel, under
canopy. At least, she would know a
little comfort against the days long
ride. His heart ached to see her. He
called out bravely to her to be OF
good cheer. She turned and smiled;
and he saw only the smile, not tho
swift, decisive battle against tho on
set OF tears: she smiled, and no was
too far away to sec the swimming
eyes.
A bawling of voices, swapping Of
the kurbash upon the tanks Of the
camels, and the caravan was once
more under way. George looked at
his watch. which fortunately had been
overlooked by the thieving natives,
and found 1t still ticking away brisk
~. It was after nine. 1t was q com.
fort to learn that the watch had not
been injured. Most men are method
ical in the matter Of time, no matter
how desultory they may be In other
things. There is a peculiar restful
ness in knowing what the hour is,
whether it passes quickly or whether
1t drags.
Further investigation revealed
that bis letter Of credit was undis.
trrbed and that he was the proud pos
SCISSOR of six damaged cigars and q
box Of cigarettes. Instantly the
thought OF being days without tobacco
snote him almost poignantly. He was
an irveterate smoker, and the fact
that the supply was so pitiably small
gave unusual Zest TO mis- craving. He
now longed for the tang Of the weed
upon his lips, but he held out man
fully. He would not touch cigar or
cigarette till nightfall, and then he
made UP his mind to smoke half OF
either. The touch, selfish and calcu.
lating, Of the miser, stole over him.
If Ryanne was without the soother,
so much the worse for him. The six
cigars he would not share with the
archaugeL Michael, supposing that
gentleman came down for a smoke.
Forward, always forward, winding
in and out Of the valleys, trailing over
the hills, never faster, never slower.
Noon came, and the briiliance Of aft
ernoon dimmed and faded into the
short twilight. Were they never go
ing to stop? One hill more, ana
George, to his infinite delight, saw .
cluster of date-palms ahead, mile
or so; and he knew that this was 10
be the haven for the ship Of the des.
ert. The caravan came to it unde!
the dim light Of the few stars that
had not yet attained their refulgence
Under the palms We're few deserted
mud-houses, huddled dejectedly to
gether, like outcasts seeking the near.
ness rather than the companionship OF
the co-unfortunates. Men had dwelt
here once upon time. but the plague
had doubtless counted them out, one
by one. They made camp near the
well, which still contained water.
Prayers. A wailing chanted forth
toward Mecca. "God is great. There
! is no God but God"