centre.
On such occasions the male camels and horses were kept saddled, while
the men lay down by their sides, ready to start up at a moment's notice.
The sheep and goats are much larger than any I have seen in England,
with long legs and thin bodies; and when sufficiently fed they can keep
up with the camels on a journey, and can run as fast as a greyhound. It
is extraordinary, too, how long camels can go without food and water,
and on what scanty herbage they manage to subsist.

From being able to talk to the people, Halliday and I had much softened
their feelings towards us; and I determined to try what I could do to
win the regard of the sheikh. He had a brother, Abdalah by name, a
fine-looking young man, who thought a good deal of himself. Making him
a profound salaam as he was passing one day, I said: "May your shadow
never be less. O brother of the great sheikh, I have heard of your
valour and prowess, and I doubt not that your generosity equals it! You
see before you two young chiefs, who may some day become great water
sheikhs, in command of many thousands of men; and knowing this, I trust
you will not allow them longer to endure the pain and suffering they
have gone through for many days."

"Bismillah! is what you speak the truth?" exclaimed Abdalah.

"Your servant would not condescend to speak a lie. Among our people it
is looked upon as a disgraceful act," I answered.

Abdalah did not seem quite to understand this; but my bold address had
some effect upon him, and he promised to make a request to the sheikh
that we might be permitted to ride on camels when we had long journeys
to take. Halliday and I thanked him; and I asked him if he had ever
looked through my telescope, of which his brother had possession. He
had not done so; and having described its wonders, I promised to show
him how to use it the next day.

After we had performed our morning tasks, the sheikh pointed out two
camels, with saddles on their backs, and told us that we might mount
them. I then asked if Ben might have the same privilege.

"No, no," he answered. "You might take it into your heads to try and
gallop off; and though you would not escape, it would give us the
trouble of going after you."

As we rode along that day, I found that we were once more verging
towards the sea-shore. While we were moving onwards, Abdalah came up
with my spy-glass hung over his shoulder, and said that he wished me to
show him its use. W