Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/294

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THE MOSLEMS OF GAZA.

he passed to Egypt and Tunis, and the other Mahometan States on the northern coast of Africa. Nor did he forget his own motherland of Arabia: for, as I have said, he is an Arab, and looks with hope to the future of his race. In all his observations there appeared a degree of intelligence and a liberal spirit which at once surprised and delighted us. If there were in Turkey many such men as Yusuf Effendi, there would be indeed hope for the future of that decaying Empire.

When we returned to our tents, our cameleers were preparing to depart — another leave-taking, which gave us a momentary pang. We went round among them with a friendly smile for all, and a special word of sympathy for our old soldier, who could not be comforted for the shame that had been put upon him; and it was a real pleasure to learn (though it was not till after I had reached America) that on his return to Nukhl he had gone back to the tribe that robbed him, and made his peace with them, and recovered his sword, with which badge of his military rank he returned home in all the pride of a soldier. Even our camels I looked upon with some tenderness, knowing that it was for the last time. Dr. Post wasted no sentiment on the beast that had vexed his soul from day to day, but was glad that he should never see her again. But my camel had become a pet; she had borne me patiently across the desert; and now as I stroked her neck, which she received as gently as a favorite pony would receive a caress, I felt a real sadness that I should see her no more.

Then the men mounted, and the camels rose up at the word of command, and filed out of the garden, and took the way of the desert. Hardly had they disappeared before we heard a jingling of bells, and in came the horses and mules that had been ordered from Jaffa to take us to