re, only sand. Oh, sir,
you're a-laughing. I know what you're going to say. You're going to
make jokes about the breakfast, and say we're to have the sand which is
there."

"Wrong, Sam," replied Frank laughing; "but I'm glad to see that you can
think about jokes. There, sit up, man, and look yonder straight ahead.
The tents are in sight."

"Tents? Where?" cried the man, changing his tone. "I can't see 'em."

"They are not very plain yet, but there they are."

"White uns, sir, with flags flying, and that sort of thing? What are
they--marquees, or bell-tents like the soldiers have?"

"I don't suppose they are either, but native tents," said Frank, shading
his eyes again. "They look very low and small, right away on the
horizon, and they seem to be brown."

"On the horizon, sir? Why, that means out at sea, and we sha'n't be
there before night."

"Well, right away on the horizon of this sea of sand," said Frank
cheerfully; "but I don't think we are above a mile or two away."

"Oh!" groaned Sam. "Say two miles, then, and chuck in another because
places are always farther away than you think. Three miles, and we're
going a mile an hour. Mr Frank, sir, have you got a pencil and a bit
o' paper?"

"Yes, in my pocket-book. Will you have them now?"

"Me, sir," said the man faintly. "I couldn't write, sir; I want you to
do it for me."

"A letter? Well, when we get to the tents."

"No, sir, now. I sha'n't live to see no tents. There ain't much, sir;
only a silver watch and chain, a bit in the Post Office Savings Bank,
and my clothes, as my brother 'll be very glad to have."

"Oh, I see! you want to make your will, Sam," said Frank seriously.

"That's it, sir; and you'd better write it as plain as you can, sir, so
as there sha'n't be no mistakes after, and I dessay I can manage to make
my cross."

"A will made on a camel in the desert, Sam!" said Frank seriously.
"Rather a novelty in wills, eh? Better wait till after breakfast."

"Breakfast, sir?"

"The Sheikh says there'll be coffee."

"Coffee out here, sir?"

"Yes, and these people know what good coffee is."

"Yes, sir; it was very good at the hotel. 'Most as good as ours at
home."

"And he said that he sent two camel-loads of necessaries on before us
yesterday."

"He did, sir?" said Sam, whose voice sounded stronger.

"Yes, and look now: the tents are getting quite plain. They look
peculiar, and there are camels about them, and th