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eye saw it also, and was cheered by the sight, for he raised his head and quickened his steps, so that it was not long before Ali found himself at one of those pleasant islands of verdure, which are so mercifully scattered about the desert.

2. He threw himself from the camel's back, and hunted out the pool of water, that he knew he should find in the midst of the reeds and rushes, which grew there. He dipped in his water-skin and drank, while Meek-eye, doubling up his long legs beneath him, and lying down, stretched out his long neck, and greedily sucked up great draughts of it. How sweet was the sleep which crept over them as they lay down in the shade of the great palm-tree, now that they had quenched their thirst!

3. Refreshed and rested, Ali was able to satisfy his hunger on a bunch of ripe dates from the palmtree, while Meek-eye browsed upon the grass and leaves around. Ali noticed, while eating his dates, that other travellers had been there recently; as the grass at the side of the pool was trampled down, and date-stones lay strewn around the palm-tree. This greatly cheered him. He quickly followed in their track, still going in a southerly direction.

4. He took care to keep the setting sun to his right hand, and when he had gone down, Ali observed the large bright star that had guided him before. He travelled on, tired and faint with hunger for many a mile, till at last he saw, a long way off, the fires of the caravan which had halted for the night. Ali soon came up to them. He alighted from Meekeye, and leading him by the bridle, came towards a

group of camel-drivers, who were sitting in a circle and resting themselves.

5. He told them his story, and asked permission to join the party, and begged a little rice, for which he was ready to pay with the piece of money that his mother had sewn into the lining of his tunic. Ali was kindly received by them, and allowed to partake of their supper. The men admired the courage with which he had endeavoured to save his favourite camel. Ali soon slept soundly by the side of Meek-eye, upon whose long neck his head as usual rested for a pillow.

6. In the midst of a pleasant dream, Ali was suddenly aroused by the sound of tinkling bells, and on waking up, and looking round him, he saw, that another caravan had arrived, which had come from the south. The merchants sat down to wait until their supper was brought to them by their attendants, and a party of camel-drivers drew round the fire near which Ali had been sleeping. They raked up its ashes, put on fresh fuel, and then prepared to boil their rice.

7. What voice was that which roused Ali as he was beginning to sink again into a dose? He listened, he started to his feet, he looked about him, and waited for a flash of flame from the fire to fall on the faces of the camel-drivers who stood around it. It came; the flame flickering up at first, and then, all at once, blazing out. It flashed upon the face of the camel-driver who stood stooping over it, and it lit up the face of Ali's father!

8. The father had waited at Suez many days, won

dering why Ali did not come with the camel, and then thinking there had been some mistake, he had determined at last to return home with the caravan,

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which was starting for Gaza. We need hardly describe the joy of both father and son at thus meeting each other in the desert, nor the pleasure with which the father listened to the history of all the fears and dangers to which his young son had been exposed. He was glad too, that their precious Meek-eye had been saved.

9. There was no camel-driver in the whole caravan so happy as Hassan, when, the next morning, he continued his journey to Gaza in company with Meek-eye and his beloved son Ali.

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How long did Ali continue his journey? What is the great fiery ball? How did Ali feel as the day grew hotter? What made him take fresh courage? What did Ali do when he had quenched his thirst? How did he satisfy his hunger? What did he notice while eating his dates? In what direction did he travel? What did he see in the distance? What did he ask permission of the camel-drivers to do? What was Ali's pillow? What aroused him from his sleep? Whose voice did he hear? How did Hassan feel at meeting his son?

THE HONEST BIRD.

1. Once on a time a little bird
Within a wicker cage was heard,
In mournful tones, these words to sing:
"In vain I stretch my useless wing;
Still round and round I vainly fly,
And strive in vain for liberty.
Dear Liberty, how sweet thou art!"
The prisoner sings with breaking heart:
"All other things I'd give for thee,
Nor ask one joy but liberty."

2.

3.

4.

He sang so sweet, a little mouse,
That often ran about the house,
Came to his cage; her cunning ear
She turns the mournful bird to hear.
Soon as he ceased, "Suppose," said she,
"I could contrive to set you free,

Would you those pretty wings give me!"

The cage was in the window seat,
The sky was blue, the air was sweet,
The bird in eagerness replied:

"Oh yes, my wings, and see, beside,
These seeds and apples, and sugar too,
All, pretty mouse, I'll give to you,

If you will only set me free;

For O! I pant for liberty."

The mouse soon gnawed a hole; the bird In ecstasy forgot his word;

Swift as an arrow, see he flies,

Far up, far up, towards the skies;

But see, he stops, now he descends,
Towards the cage his course he bends.

5. "Kind mouse," said he, "behold me now
Returned to keep my foolish vow;
I only longed for freedom then,
Nor thought to want my wings again.
Better with life itself to part,
Than living have a faithless heart;
Do with me therefore as you will,

An honest bird I will be still."

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