nt of taskmasters not to be trifled with, and that
resistance or remonstrance would be alike futile. In short, they saw
_that they were slaves_!

While packing the tents, and otherwise preparing for the march, they
were witnesses to many customs, curious as new to them. The odd
equipages of the animals,--both those of burden and those intended to be
ridden,--the oval panniers, placed upon the backs of the camels, to
carry the women and younger children; the square pads upon the humps of
the maherries; the tawny little piccaninnies strapped upon the backs of
their mothers; the kneeling of the camels to receive their loads,--as if
consenting to what could not be otherwise than disagreeable to
them,--were all sights that might have greatly interested our
adventurers, had they been viewing them under different circumstances.

Out of the last mentioned of these sights, an incident arose,
illustrating the craft of their captors in the management of their
domestic animals.

A refractory camel, that, according to usual habit, had voluntarily
humiliated itself to receive its load, after this had been packed upon
it, refused to rise to its feet. The beast either deemed the burden
inequable and unjust,--for the Arabian camel, like the Peruvian llama,
has a very acute perception of fair play in this respect,--or a fit of
caprice had entered its mulish head. For one reason or another it
exhibited a stern determination _not_ to oblige its owner by rising to
its feet; but continued its genuflexion in spite of every effort to get
it on all-fours.

Coaxing and cajolery were tried to no purpose. Kicking by sandalled
feet, scourging with whips, and beating with cudgels produced no better
effect; and to all appearance the obstinate brute had made up its mind
to remain in the oasis and let the tribe depart without it.

At this crisis an ingenious method of making the camel change its mind
suggested itself to its master; or perhaps he had practised it on some
former occasion. Maddened by the obstinacy of the animal, he seized hold
of an old burnouse, and rushing up, threw it over its head. Then drawing
the rag tightly around its snout, he fastened it in such a manner as
completely to stop up the nostrils.

The camel finding its breathing thus suddenly interrupted, became
terrified; and without further loss of time, scrambled to its feet--to
the great amusement of the women and children who were spectators of the
scene.

CHAPTE