ust waving me revolver, "thin 'tis
yerself that will be out of pocket by it." And the ould divvil cringed
as if he took me for the Prince of Wales. Faix, 'tis the purse that's
the best argumint to catch these haythen Arabs upon.'

When we set out for the desert in the early dawn next day, it looked as
if we were starting for a few months' voyage. We had a company of camels
that might have befitted a caravan. We had two large tents, one for
ourselves, and one for Dr. Macloghlen, with a third to dine in. We had
bedding, and cushions, and drinking water tied up in swollen pig-skins,
which were really goat-skins, looking far from tempting. We had bread
and meat, and a supply of presents to soften the hearts and weaken the
religious scruples of the sheikhs at Wadi Bou. 'We thravel _en prince_,'
said the Doctor. When all was ready we got under way solemnly, our
camels rising and sniffing the breeze with a superior air, as who should
say, 'I happen to be going where you happen to be going; but don't for a
moment suppose I do it to please you. It is mere coincidence. You are
bound for Wadi Bou: I have business of my own which chances to take me
there.'

[Illustration: RIDING A CAMEL DOES NOT GREATLY DIFFER PROM
SEA-SICKNESS.]

Over the incidents of the journey I draw a veil. Riding a camel, I find,
does not greatly differ from sea-sickness. They are the same phenomenon
under altered circumstances. We had been assured beforehand on
excellent authority that 'much of the comfort on a desert journey
depends upon having a good camel.' On this matter, I am no authority. I
do not set up as a judge of camel-flesh. But I did not notice _any_ of
the comfort; so I venture to believe my camel must have been an
exceptionally bad one.

We expected trouble from the fanatical natives; I am bound to admit, we
had most trouble with Elsie. She was not insubordinate, but she did not
care for camel-riding. And her beast took advantage of her youth and
innocence. A well-behaved camel should go almost as fast as a child can
walk, and should not sit down plump on the burning sand without due
reason. Elsie's brute crawled, and called halts for prayer at frequent
intervals; it tried to kneel like a good Mussulman many times a day; and
it showed an intolerant disposition to crush the infidel by rolling over
on top of Elsie. Dr. Macloghlen admonished it with Irish eloquence, not
always in language intended for publication; but it only turned up its
s