f salt, we had eaten no food so wholesome
since we were on board the Spanish ship. Another girl next brought in
an earthen jar of water, which we in a few minutes completely emptied.

"Thank you, Mr Sheikh," said Ben, after his meal; "long life to your
honour."

"What does he say?" asked our host.

"He hopes that your shadow may never grow less, and that you may live to
be a blessing to your people for as long as the patriarchs of old."

The sheikh seemed pleased, and answered,--"Your lion-hunter is a fine
fellow."

I explained that I only said he was as brave as a lion; but the sheikh
replied that his bravery must have been proved by his hunting lions--and
that he, at all events, would give him an opportunity of exhibiting his
prowess.

Ben, tired of sitting so long on his feet, now got up, and, pulling a
lock of his hair, walked out of the tent. Not supposing he would be
molested, we sat on, wishing to practise our Arabic by talking to the
sheikh, who made numerous inquiries about our country and other parts of
Europe, evidently being not altogether ignorant of what had been taking
place of late in the world. We at last also got up, to take the fresh
air outside, when he said--

"Stop, stop! young Nazarenes. You came here to show me the precious
treasures you possess; I desire you to exhibit them."

"Of course we will," I said, unslinging my telescope.

He looked at it, putting the field-glass to his eye, when he saw his own
ugly face reflected in it.

"Bismillah! it's wonderful," he cried out.

I explained that this was the wrong way to use it; and inviting him to
come to the door of the tent, I put it to my own eye to show him how it
was to be used. As I did so, turning it eastward, what was my surprise
to observe a sail standing towards the shore.

"Thank Heaven! here comes a vessel which may rescue us," I exclaimed.

"Let me look at her," said Halliday, taking the glass from me.

"Look again, Charlie," he said, returning it to me. "I am afraid that
it is only a small boat."

"You are right," I answered; "or rather, it is no boat at all, but a
raft!" Indeed, by this time we could distinguish the raft with our
naked eyes.

"What is all this about?" asked the sheikh, observing our agitation. I
gave him the glass, but he could not fix it on the object. He saw the
raft, however, without it.

"Allah be praised! yonder vessel will certainly be thrown on our shore,
and we shall obtain a rich