s passed...."

* * * * *

LESSON XXII.

pro pose', _offer; advise_.

group, _a number of persons or things together_.

grief, _great sorrow; distress_.

draughts (drafts), _quantities of water taken at one time_.

quenched, _satisfied; put out_.

re' cently, _newly; lately_.

flick'er ing, _fluttering; keeping in motion_.

greed'ily, _very eagerly_

pre'cious, _of great price; costly_.

wea'ry, _very tired_.

refresh'ing, _cooling; reviving_.

* * * * *

ALI, THE BOY CAMEL-DRIVER.

PART II.

Poor Ali suffered like the rest from terrible thirst. He drank the last
drop of water from his water-bottle, and thought of the morrow with
fear.

He was so tired when night came, he was glad to lie down by the side of
Meek-eye and go to sleep. Ali slept, but before morning, was awakened by
the sound of voices.

He listened, and heard the chief driver tell one of the merchants that,
if they did not find water very soon, the next day a camel must be
killed, in order to get the water contained in its stomach.

This is often done in cases of great need in the desert, the stomach of
the camel being so formed as to hold a great quantity of water.

Ali was not surprised to hear such a thing spoken of; but what was his
distress and alarm, when he heard the merchant propose that it should be
"the boy's camel" that should be killed!

The merchant said the other camels were of too good a kind, and of too
much value; while, as to this young boy, what business had he to have a
camel of his own?

It would be better far, they said, for him to lose his camel than for
him to die, like the rest, of thirst. And so it was decided that
Meek-eye should be killed, unless water were found the next morning.

Ali slept no more. His heart was full of grief; but his grief was mixed
with courage and resolution. He said to himself that Meek-eye should not
die.

His father had trusted him to bring the camel, and what would he say if
he should arrive at Suez without it? He would try to find his way alone,
and leave the caravan as soon as possible.

That night when all was quiet, and the merchant and camel-driver had
gone to sleep, Ali arose, and gently patting the neck of Meek-eye, awoke
him.

He placed his empty bag and water-bottles on his back, and seating
himself on him, made signs for the creature to rise, and then suddenly
started off.