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, 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. 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? 1. THE HONEST BIRD. Once on a time a little bird Within a wicker cage was heard, In mournful tones, these words to sing: 2. 3. 4. He sang so sweet, a little mouse, Would you those pretty wings give me!" The cage was in the window seat, "Oh yes, my wings, and see, beside, 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, 5. "Kind mouse," said he, "behold me now An honest bird I will be still." 6. 7. 8. His heart seemed full, no more he said, She minced a little, turned about, "I don't care much about your wings— So keep your wings just where they are." She minced some apples, gave a smack, The bird spread out its wings and flew, |