Year: 1861

senses after an interval, and made an effort to
shake off the tOrpOr by which / was weighed
down, so as to meet my fate manfully


AS / raised my head my ewes fell upon the two
last victims of my cruelty living dead upon the
meadow, and my heart ran cold at the sight, for
l felt that my mshap was a visitation from
heaven COntrite and repentant, then turned
my looks on high, trembling lest should behold
there some token of the Divine anger which
had thus drawn upon my head; but the sun
was shining out with his daily splendor, nor was
there a single cloud visible upon the vaulted
azure.


And now, NV eyes earnestly fixed upon heaven
prayed with humility and fervor hardly to be
imagined unless by those who have, at some time
or another, found themselves in situation as
hopeless as mine was at that moment.


While thus gazing upward, my thoughts were
interrupted by an object that met my view. Ii
a large vulture, sailing in the upper air
From the hight where he scared, while vet far
beyond the range of human eve, he had, doubt
less, watched the fall of the two gazeles, and was
now STOPPING down to secure his share of the ban
quet which delth had spread for him. Soon an
other of these birds sailed into the circle of my
view, and vet another, until the dark forms of q
large flight of them stood out from the deep blue
of the sky.


Describing wide circles in their descent, they





of them alighted at some distance from me glanced
around for moment with inquiring eyes, and
then FASTENED eagerly toward the prey by which
he was attracted. In a few minutes the meadow
was literally black with these hideous birds, many
of which crowded upon the bodies of the two
gazeles, to tear out the ewes of which seemed to
be the first object of one and all of them, while
they manifested. by the tapping of their wings
the ravenous delight with which they gorged
themselves at the banquet.


Then came a pack of meagre, half starved
jackals, sneaking with coward stealth among the
spiky leaves of the cactus. Between them and
the vultures savage conflict now took place
which ended in the defeat of the latter, when the
victors threw themselves greedily upon the prey
over which they fought and wrangled with bittel
snarling and swapping of teeth.


At length they stole away. No, blessed be
Allah at least shall not perish by the crue
teeth and talons of such pestilent creatures


a feeling of comfort came over me when this
disgusting scene was past. i cast lingering
look at the objects around me; the crystal wa
ter and the bright, beautiful glories of nature
from which | was about to sink forever. Then
once more turning my eyes and thoughts towar
heaven, / awaited with calm resignation the mo
ment' when it should please the Almighty tt
release nv spirit-but, notwithstanding my eff
forts to maintain this tranquil condition, thu
memories that crowded upon me again dragged
me down to the depths of despair.


thought OF the years that were gone; friend
and relatives appeared to rise up before me, ans
then my tears began to flow.


At this moment a sound of human voice
seemed to come to me from afar A flash of hop'
lighted over me, and | called aloud with all m,
remaining strength, while my heart leaped witt
frantic JOY. The voices came nearer and nearer
until they rang out loud and distinct, and then
saw Akin-el Chahin and Selim coming toward m
over the meadow.


They had heard my two shots, and, wonderin,
at my long delay, had set out in search of me
Nor were they a moment too soon-for i wa
sinking surely and steadily, the swallowing quick
sands having already absorbed me to the hips.


The moment Selim perceived my situation, h
unrolled his turban and threw one end of it to me
which seized with eager grasp, and, twisting
into my girdle, fastened it with a triple knot
Then, with a trembling anxiety which / will no
attempt to describe, / gave the signal to com
mence pulling.


The cord strained and tightened as nv tw,
followers drew me towards them with gentle bu
steady force. / felt myself moving gradual
upward; and now-O joy beyond expression
am drawn beyond the gasp of the devourin
quicksand-savedl


Bending to and fro the joints of my stifiene
limbs shouted with Joy; and then bounding u
from the bed of the rivulet, embraced my tw
rescuers in wild transport of gratitude.
We searched for my gun, which fortunatel
was as vet but partially imbedded in the sand, s
that we recovered it without difficulty. As TO
my leggings, left them behind, having no desir
to tempt again the terrible grasp by which ha
been deprived of them.