Part 14 (2/2)
Having performed this duty, we were next ordered to a.s.sist in digging wells. Fortunately, we had retained our wooden swords. At first, the Arabs looked at them with contempt; but when they saw how we used them to dig up the sand, they treated them with more respect, and inquired if we could manufacture some for them. I replied that if we could find a cask on the sea-sh.o.r.e we could easily do so, but without the proper wood we could not gratify their wishes.
”Then look out and find a cask speedily,” said the Arab who was superintending the operation.
The wells being dug, we had to bail out the water in wooden bowls, and carry it to the different animals. Fuel was then collected, and a line of fires kindled in order to drive away the mosquitoes and other insects, which appeared to torment the animals even as much as they did us. We were then ordered to a.s.sist the black slaves in cleaning the oxen and cows; which operation was managed in a curious way. The animals being seized by the horns, were thrown down on the sand, where they lay perfectly quiet, while the blacks with great dexterity cleansed their bodies from the insects. After this, they were washed with water from the sea. The cows were then milked.
These various processes employed the greater number in the camp till near midnight. We were then allowed to lie down inside one of the tents, already crowded with Arabs and blacks. Some sheep-skins were thrown to us for coverings; and though we did not require them for warmth--the heat was almost insupportable--they were a slight protection from the attacks of the mosquitoes which swarmed around us, and for long hours, it seemed, prevented us from falling asleep, weary as we were.
The next morning we were aroused at daybreak by several kicks from the foot of an Arab, who ordered us to go down to the sh.o.r.e and collect sh.e.l.l-fish--furnis.h.i.+ng us with a basket for the purpose. Our taskmaster followed us, to see that we laboured diligently; and I observed that he and the other Arabs took great care not to wet their feet in the salt water. Believing that they would thus become defiled, when they were compelled to do so they invariably washed them afterwards in fresh water.
While we were thus employed in the grey dawn, the sheikh issued from his tent, and mounting the summit of the nearest sand-hill, shouted,--”Allah akbar!” (G.o.d is great!) At this summons the whole male population of the camp a.s.sembled in lines behind him, turning their faces eastward in the direction of Mecca; and as the sun rose above the horizon, they knelt down, and throwing sand over their bodies, bowed their heads to the ground, while they offered up their prayers, repeating,--”There is one G.o.d, and Mohammed is his prophet.” The women at the same time came to the front of their tents, where they performed a similar ceremony.
We stood at a distance, struck by the solemnity of the scene.
”Well, after all, these appear to be decent fellows,” observed Ben. ”I only hope they will treat us in a proper manner.”
But alas for Ben's good opinion of them! No sooner were their prayers over than the Arabs, with kicks and cuffs, set the slaves to work; while we had to return to the sea-sh.o.r.e to collect more sh.e.l.l-fish. We were thus employed for the greater part of the day, and could with difficulty obtain a little porridge, or get leave to cook our sh.e.l.l-fish at any of the fires.
Several days pa.s.sed in a similar manner. We frequently met Antonio,--as I will still call him, though he had another name among the Arabs,--and he never failed to cast a look of anger at us, as if he supposed we had been the cause of his captivity. At length, every root and blade of gra.s.s in the neighbourhood being consumed, the sheikh gave the order to prepare for marching. The baggage camels were brought up, the tents struck, the animals loaded (we a.s.sisting), and every preparation quickly made. We had hoped to be allowed camels to ride on, but the sheikh ordering us to proceed on foot, we had no help for it but to obey.
On we trudged all day, under a burning sun, sinking up to our ankles in the soft sand. Ben did his best to keep up our spirits, talking away, and even singing; though neither Halliday nor I were able to join him.
When we arrived at night, we had to a.s.sist in pitching the tents and grinding corn; while frequently we were sent to a distance in charge of flocks of goats. On such occasions, however, we were always separated from each other, and carefully watched, so that we could not attempt to make our escape.
The tribe, as it moved along through the desert, had the appearance of a large army. There were, to begin with, between eight and nine hundred camels, nearly two hundred of which belonged to the chief; and there were fully two thousand sheep, and nearly as many goats. There were also twenty or thirty horses, with a few jacka.s.ses; and numerous dogs, chiefly of the greyhound and bloodhound breed, which were used for the purpose of killing hares, foxes, and wolves. Each family possessed a tent, which, with their provisions, water, and effects, was carried by the male camels, while the young and the milch camels were not loaded.
When we moved on, the sheep and goats of each family moved in separate droves--the animals keeping close together, and following their respective shepherds; but when we encamped or met with vegetation, they were allowed to spread over the country. They were again quickly collected by the shepherd's whistle, or, if at a distance, by the sound of his horn. However far-off they might be, the instant they heard the horn in they all flocked; having been taught to do so from their earliest days at the appearance of a wild beast, when their instinct showed them that it was the surest way of escaping from danger. On encamping at night, the camels and flocks belonging to each family took up their proper position in front of the respective tents, near the fires which were immediately kindled for cooking. On several occasions, when we were in what was considered a dangerous neighbourhood, either on account of hostile tribes or wild beasts, the tents were pitched in a large circle, the camels, flocks, and herds being placed in the centre.
On such occasions the male camels and horses were kept saddled, while the men lay down by their sides, ready to start up at a moment's notice.
The sheep and goats are much larger than any I have seen in England, with long legs and thin bodies; and when sufficiently fed they can keep up with the camels on a journey, and can run as fast as a greyhound. It is extraordinary, too, how long camels can go without food and water, and on what scanty herbage they manage to subsist.
From being able to talk to the people, Halliday and I had much softened their feelings towards us; and I determined to try what I could do to win the regard of the sheikh. He had a brother, Abdalah by name, a fine-looking young man, who thought a good deal of himself. Making him a profound salaam as he was pa.s.sing one day, I said: ”May your shadow never be less. O brother of the great sheikh, I have heard of your valour and prowess, and I doubt not that your generosity equals it! You see before you two young chiefs, who may some day become great water sheikhs, in command of many thousands of men; and knowing this, I trust you will not allow them longer to endure the pain and suffering they have gone through for many days.”
”Bismillah! is what you speak the truth?” exclaimed Abdalah.
”Your servant would not condescend to speak a lie. Among our people it is looked upon as a disgraceful act,” I answered.
Abdalah did not seem quite to understand this; but my bold address had some effect upon him, and he promised to make a request to the sheikh that we might be permitted to ride on camels when we had long journeys to take. Halliday and I thanked him; and I asked him if he had ever looked through my telescope, of which his brother had possession. He had not done so; and having described its wonders, I promised to show him how to use it the next day.
After we had performed our morning tasks, the sheikh pointed out two camels, with saddles on their backs, and told us that we might mount them. I then asked if Ben might have the same privilege.
”No, no,” he answered. ”You might take it into your heads to try and gallop off; and though you would not escape, it would give us the trouble of going after you.”
As we rode along that day, I found that we were once more verging towards the sea-sh.o.r.e. While we were moving onwards, Abdalah came up with my spy-gla.s.s hung over his shoulder, and said that he wished me to show him its use. We soon afterwards--being a considerable distance ahead of the caravan--came to a halt, when, dismounting, I pulled the telescope out and put it to my eye. What was my surprise to see, in the far distance, a white spot on the beach, which on more minute examination I discovered to be a tent made of a s.h.i.+p's sails! Instead of letting Abdalah see it, I turned the gla.s.s towards some distant camels, which appeared mere specks rising out of the sandy desert.
Abdalah's astonishment on seeing them, as it were, on a sudden brought within reach, was much greater than mine had been on catching sight of the tent.
After he had amused himself for some time, I informed him that I believed we should find some white men encamped at a distance of less than an hour's journey, and entreated him to be merciful to them. ”That will be as the sheikh thinks fit,” he answered evasively.
We were now anxious to hurry on, in order to ascertain who the people were; so, mounting our camels, we started off. I was considerably raised in the opinion of the sheikh and Abdalah when they found my prediction true. Dismounting from their camels, Halliday and I following them, they made their way towards the tent. As they drew aside a loose portion, a sad scene met the view. In the interior were a number of persons apparently in the last stage of starvation, whose haggard countenances, long hair and beards, and scanty clothing, showed the hards.h.i.+ps they had endured. One of them coming forward, threw himself on his knees, imploring the chief in piteous accents to have compa.s.sion on him and his companions.
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