s as if he was threatening to write to the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for them to put a stop to our ill-using
him and tying heavy things on his back and making creases with ropes on
his front--I mean his underneath, sir."

Just then one of the Sheikh's followers, who had seen the trouble, came
from where he was walking beside the baggage camels, and led the
obstinate animal to where it was required to go, and it ceased its
objections.

"Fine animals for displaying obstinacy, Frank," said the professor.

"Yes; they'd beat donkeys of the worst type."

"I daresay they would; but they have plenty of good qualities to make up
for their bad ones. How do you like the riding?"

"I'll tell you when I've had some more experience. At present it would
not be fair."

"Perhaps not," said the professor. "How do you get on, Sam?"

The butler groaned.

"Hullo! Is it as bad as that?"

"Worse, sir, ever so much. Couldn't I have a donkey, sir? I saw some
fine ones in Cairo well up to my weight."

"I'm afraid not, Sam. But you'll soon get used to the animal you are
riding."

"Never, sir, never," said Sam.

"Nonsense, man! Once you get used to the poor creatures you will think
it delightful. I could go to sleep on mine, and trust it to keep
ambling along."

"Do what, sir?"

"Ambling gently."

"Then yours is a different sort, sir, to mine. Ambling's going like a
lady's mare does in the Park, isn't it?"

"Yes, Sam; that's quite correct, I believe."

"This one don't, sir, a bit. If you shut your eyes and hold tight, sir,
you forget that he's an animal, but begin thinking he must be what he
seems like to me--a sort of giant sea-goose with you on his back and him
swimming in rough water and going up and down horrid."

"Oh, that's the peculiarity of the creature's pace. I'm used to it, and
I find the elasticity most enjoyable."

"Elastic, sir? Yes, that's just it, sir; elastic. A bit back he was
going on like an Indy-rubber ball; one o' that sort, sir, as is all wind
and skin. Made me wish he was one, and that I'd got a pin in my hand."

"Oh, never mind, my lad," said the professor good-humouredly; "its rough
work to learn riding a horse, but once you've mastered the task it's
pleasant enough. What do you think of the desert, Frank?"

"Do you consider that we have reached the desert now?" was the reply, as
Sam fell back a little, leaving them to converse.

"Oh, yes; we've left the