was for Michael something happening
every minute, some fresh beauty which revealed a new phase of Nature,
some geological surprise which changed the colour and atmospheric effect
of his surroundings. At one time mirage after mirage appeared and
disappeared like delicate, subtle dreams; fair cities sprang up on the
horizon with white-winged sailing-boats drifting on their waters; tall
palm-trees, black against the light, stood up and refreshed the eye, only
to become fainter and fainter until they were no more.

These fair Jerusalems, God's help to tired travellers, with eyes grown
weary of emptiness and space, made beautiful interludes in the day's
march. Since their first day's march they had seen no real desert
villages, with their much-treasured palm-trees and picturesque
inhabitants, for they had made for the open desert. Where palm-trees
grow, there are also human habitations and Government taxes. Anything
green in the desert which is of lasting duration is the result of
artificial irrigation. But if the sand brings forth no food for man or
beast, its emptiness holds a world of prayers and desires.

* * * * * *

It was about noon of the fourth day of Michael's journey when he saw in
the distance a cavalcade of camels riding towards him. It had emerged
out of nothing; suddenly it became clearer and clearer. Was it mirage?
It was still so distant that it might yet prove an optical delusion.

He stopped his camel. Abdul, seeing that his master evidently wanted
something, rode forward quickly.

"Look, Abdul," Michael said, "can you see some camels coming towards us?"

Abdul had no need to look. His eyes could see much further than
Michael's. He had already noticed the cavalcade.

"_Aiwah, Effendi_, they are camels carrying real human beings." His
master's words had implied that he wondered if he was looking at a
mirage. Michael had never seen a mirage of anything but scenery,
villages with minarets and rivers with boats--reflections, in fact, of
distant towns.

Abdul assured his master that the camels were real camels and that he was
almost certain that it was an European outfit; it did not belong to
desert natives.

Michael again rode on ahead for a few moments. He wondered where the
travellers were coming from, and whither they were bound. This fourth
morning's journey had certainly brought them slightly nearer again to the
border of civilization. He knew that