h the gate they found themselves in a street
square, with a cafe opening into it on one side. Entering it they sat down
and looked about them.

Captain Raymond, who had been more than once in Cairo itself, pronounced
the scene an exact copy of what was to be found there, and they presently
learned that the doors and wooden-grated windows had been brought bodily
from that city.

They could see projecting balconies, mysterious archways, airy loggias,
and tiny shops filled to overflowing with such things as many a one would
want to buy, and being in easy circumstances they bought a number of
articles such as were not too heavy or cumbersome to be easily carried.

Soon, however, their attention was turned to the crowds in the streets.
Near by was a donkey and camel stand--donkeys standing and camels lying
down in their own peculiar fashion.

"Oh, what funny fellows!" laughed little Ned.

"Yes," said his father, "those are camels. Would you like to take a ride
on one?"

"No, sir; I might fall off."

"Yes, Ned, and hurt yourself; maybe break your leg; and it would take
even Cousin Arthur a good while to mend it; so that you would miss the
pleasure of going about with the rest of us," said Walter.

"I don't want to ride just now," said Ned, "but if I did I'd rather try
one of those little horses."

"Donkeys, Ned," corrected his sister Lucilla, "and what little fellows
they are! no bigger than Max's dog Prince!"

"Oh, see!" cried Rosie with a merry laugh, "that one going down the street
knocked against that big fat man and almost upset him."

"Notice the drivers," said Evelyn, "all so swarthy and with such black
eyes, naked feet, long caftans, fez, and turbans. And what a keen watch
they keep for customers. Evidently they do not despise American dollars,
dimes, or cents."

"No, indeed! not they," said Walter. "Oh, there are a couple who evidently
contemplate taking a ride on a camel; see, the young fellow seems to be
bargaining with one of the drivers; and how the people are crowding round
to look and listen!"

"What's the price?" they heard the young man ask. They did not catch the
reply, but he went on with his questions: "Will he bite? Is he quite tame?
Is there any danger at all?"

"No-a bite," returned the driver; "good camel," and as he spoke he reached
for the girl, who shrank back a little. But he quickly lifted her to the
saddle and showed her how to hold on.

Then the young man climbed up behind her