with any further attentions from you. I have already sunk under the weight of your favors, and been lightened of my cares by your civility. I shall not stay here to be roasted alive, but make the best of my way to the green island yonder." So saying, he mounted his horse, which had stood quietly by his side, and turned his head towards the oasis. "I was going thither," exclaimed the Arab, "when your approach drew me from my road. Let us now make the best of our way to the shade, for the heat is oppressive, and you may have received some injury in your late fall, which I can examine for you when we are there." The other made no answer, but whilst the Arab was speaking, he had conveyed his hand to the holsters of the saddle. The latter comprehended what he was about, and it was the work of but a moment to place his sabre within a few inches of the stranger's throat. "If you will dismount," said the Arab, "I will remove your pistols; they may interrupt the good understanding which at present subsists between us. There," said he, placing them in his girdle, "let us now move on." The traveller remounted his horse, and they gallopped along to the delightful spot before mentioned. "The horses will pick for themselves," said the Arab, dismounting, and removing the saddle and bridle from his beast. "If yours is as well taught as mine, it will not stray, and they can feed together. You seem somewhat the worse for our late encounter. Come," continued he, assisting the traveller to lighten his horse of its furniture, "let us find a pleasant spot for our resting place." They sat down beneath a canopy of lofty trees, whose mingled foliage was impervious to the rays of the sun. The traveller was scarcely seated, when he fell back exhausted and fainting. The Arab brought him water in a palm leaf, and gathered for him nuts and tamarinds; he poured the milk of the cocoa-nut down his throat, and used every means for his restoration. "There is in the oasis," said the Arab, "great variety of fruits; amongst others, melons, oranges, and peaches. You will prefer these to any thing I can offer you. For myself, I have some bruised barley, which shall be my only food till I meet with Cora." "Your lady will, I hope, reward you for your abstinence," said the traveller, who was by this time a little recovered. "Have the kindness to gather me a melon; I am so far overcome with fatigue, that I do not well know how to rise to get it myself." The Arab gathered him some fruit, and placed it near him, then, seating himself by his side, he began his own unpalatable meal. When it was finished, he procured fire from the friction of two sticks, and, lighting his pipe, continued smoking in a state of perfect abstraction. His eye became languid and inexpressive, and his features motionless. The act of violence which he had lately committed was a thing of course; his idea of right and wrong fully justified it, and explained it as an act of retributive justice. It had been performed, and was now forgotten, and his mind was again occupied with lofty sentiment and romantic feeling, which absorbed all its energies. He was now revelling in all the extasies of the Mahommedan paradise, and his Cora was a lovely houri, whose eyes were beautiful and soft as those of the gazelle. The traveller was as little inclined to converse as his companion might be, and, after casting a disconsolate look on his two bags of sequins, he laid his head on a little mound beside him, which served very well for a pillow, and presently fell asleep. The Arab continued smoking. Sometimes, in a moment of recollection, he took one of the bags of gold and poised it, then laid it down, and, taking up a leaf, began to fan his companion to promote his slumber, and disperse the insects which flitted about him. But these interruptions to his musings were few and short; and as the evening approached, he appeared to become entirely insensible to every ob Cora. Hátim, the father of Cora, entered into league with my parent Sáker. We joined our strength against the Mawali, and set out together to meet them. We came up with our enemy, and parleyed with them, but they would not listen to the voice of peace. We threw a thousand lances into the midst of their company, and they dispersed like the chaff, scattering themselves over the plain. We pursued them, but the night favoring their escape, we returned to our tents to celebrate the feast of victory. flesh of a young camel was prepared for us, and baked rice, and there was goats' and camels' milk in abundance. ject around him. His brow indeed covet nothing that is his, but the fair was raised, and his eyes assumed a liveliness which gave an inexpressible beauty to his calm and open features; but this animation arose from the deep enthusiasm of his soul. The sun set, and the evening planet presently appeared. His eye was intently fixed on its silver orb, and continued to be so till the increasing shades of night revealed the glories of the Arabian sky. The bright star Aldebaran was approaching the meridian, and the planets Mars and Venus discovered themselves under what is termed by astrologers, a favorable aspect. The Arab rose from the ground, and retired a few paces to a little hillock of sand. He scattered part of it on the earth before him, and then traced with his pipe an astrological figure. His satisfaction increased as he proceeded in his work, and when the horoscope was finished, he exclaimed in rapture "The star of my destiny is on the meridian, and the significatory planets are well posited in the seventh house: my beloved approaches, she cannot be far off." "Ah! what is the matter?" cried the traveller, awaking, "take the gold if you will, and a plague go with it." His thoughts wandered for the moment to the rencontre of the morning, and the loss he had sustained. "I have been holding converse with the stars," said the Arab, " and they tell me that Cora is near.' "The stars are very communicative," returned the other, yawning. "I will tell thee of Cora," resumed the Arab, seating himself beside his companion; "I will tell thee of Cora, the delight of the desert. I am Benì Sáker, the son of Sáker, the sheik, and am myself a sheik. My father is master of a thousand spears, he has multitudes of camels and sheep, and his family is as numerous as the stars. A hundred spears await my bidding. I also have camels and sheep, but my chief treasures are locked up in Cora. Cora is the daughter of Hátim, he is the commander of five hundred horsemen, and he has great treasure; yet I The "I left my tent early on the morning after our victory, and walked to the well to water the camels. There was a female of the tribe of Hátim drawing water. Her waist was straight and supple as my lance, and her steps were light and elegant as those of a young filly. Her face was veiled, according to the custom of our tribes; but in raising the vessel of water to her head, she disordered her veil, and I observed her features. Her eyes were like those of the gazelle; her looks were languid and impassioned; her beautiful eyebrows were arched like two bows of ebony; her eyelashes were blackened with kool, and her lips were painted blue; and her nails were tinged with gold-colored henna; her breasts were like two pomegranates, and her words were sweeter than honey. Which of the daughters of Hátim is it, said I, who is drawing water from Saker's well? I am Cora, (answered she,) the daughter of Hátim thy friend. She left me, and, returning, withdrew into the inner tent of her father." "Day after day, I pined for the fair Cora, but she came no more to the well; and the tribe of Hatim suddenly struck their tents, and departed from among us. I concealed my passion for some time from my father, but my body wasted away till it yielded no shadow, and Saker then inquired of me the cause. I told him, and he has promised to procure me the daughter of Hátim. I have left my father's tent, and am seeking the dwelling of Hátim, and when I find him I shall offer gifts to him, and to the fair Cora, and if she loves me, Hátim will give her to me; then I shall want nothing when Cora, the delight of the desert, is mine." "Your name is Beni Sáker, said you not?” inquired the traveller. "It is," replied the Arab; do you dwell on my name?" why "I have heard it before," said the other," and that not long ago. I will tell you the whole matter; 'tis a short story, though I should begin with my setting out for Bassora, and end with the event of to-day. "I am Lucas, a merchant of Toulon. Twelve months back I set out on my journey to Bassora, whither affairs of trade had called me. After passing through the Mediterranean, I joined a caravan which was then about to proceed, under an Arabian escort, to the Persian gulf. We met with no interruptions on our way, and, arriving at Bassora, the caravan separated. At the end of three weeks, having finished my business, I wished to return, and a Persian trader directed me to a caravan that was on the eve of departure towards the Mediterranean. I joined company with it, and proceeded on across the desert. "On the third day of our journey I was resting myself, after our halt, in the tent of the sheik. I was alone, and on the point of falling asleep, for our march had been severe, and I was much fatigued, but my attention was awakened by the silver tones of a beautiful voice, which proceeded from the inner tent. I am no cynic, music has charms for me at all times, and I listened with considerable interest to the song of the invisible minstrel. It was a female voice, not less sweet than the honeyed accents of your fabled houris. Indeed, let him who inquires after the exquisitely beautiful, and who wishes duly to appreciate the melody of woman's voice, lis ten to it in the midst of the desert, when the day's march is ended, and he is sitting in his tent under the shade of his fig-tree." "Well, well," said the impatient Arab, "but the subject of the song?" "Does the sentiment displease you?" inquired the other. "It does not displease me," said the Arab, "but I feel interested in your narrative, and wish to hear its termination." "As nearly as I can remember," said the traveller, "these are the words of the song: 66 6 My father sojourned in the tent of Sáker. I went to the well to draw water; the son of Saker spoke kindly to me. The steed of Benì Sáker is the swiftest of his tribe, and he is the chief among a hundred.' My memory fails me; but this was I believe the substance of the song." "It is enough," said the Arab, stroking his beard with profound gravity. "The tribe of Hátim has been your escort. How came you to separate yourself from the caravan, and at what distance should you think it is from us?" "I rashly imagined," answered the traveller, "that I could gain the shores of the Mediterranean without interference on the part of your freebooters, and in less time than would be spent by the caravan in reaching them." "You did wrong," said the Arab; "When did you leave your party?" "This morning only. The caravan is not many hours' march behind us; if we remain here, it will have come up, or nearly so, by to-morrow sunrise." "If it is as you say,' "returned the Arab, "the sequins may once more change masters. I shall not injure him whom Hátim has protected." The traveller was about to resume possession of his two bags, but the Arab gently put back his hand. "There is," said he, "no need of haste. It was your expedition which occasioned your losing them." Lucas smiled, and made no answer. The Arab composed himself for the night, and the traveller, following his example, the former was in a short time sitting in his dreams, under a palmtree, with his Cora; and the latter comforting himself in the possession of his lost sequins. The sun had risen not many degrees above the horizon, when the Arab and the traveller awaking, repaired to the entrance of the oasis, and looked eagerly across the desert, hoping to discover the approach of the caravan; but all between the land and the sky was one vacant plain. They looked at each other for a moment, the one doubting the truth of what his companion had told him, and the other fearing that his conqueror's present mood was by no means favorable to the restoration of his gold. The countenance of the Arab suddenly lightened. A small grayish cloud appeared on the edge of the horizon. The traveller viewed it without the least interest, but the Arab knew that it indicated the approach of a large company. "Yonder is the caravan," said the latter; "when the sun is eight degrees higher, it will have reached us. It will be best to await its coming up. There is no caravansary between them and the oasis, they will therefore halt at this place. If you have told me the truth," continued he, seriously addressing the traveller, "I shall quickly accomplish the object of my search, and return happy to my own tribe. I shall give back your gold, and you will shortly be placed beyond the reach of molestation. But if you have deceived me, I am perhaps about to fall into the hands of a hostile tribe, and my blood will be upon your head." They retired together into the oasis to await the event. A neighing of horses announced the approach of the company, which consisted of not less than an hundred merchants of different countries, and three hundred camels laden with merchandise, the whole escorted by a numerous body of Arabs, armed with spears, sabres, and ill-conditioned muskets, and mounted on fleet horses. The noise of the approaching cavalcade brought the Arab and the traveller from the enclosure of the oasis. The former immediately recognized the Arab guard to be the tribe of Hátim. The stillness of the desert was now broken by a confusion of sounds; horses neighing, the camels snuffling, and crowding towards the great well, led thither by an instinctive knowledge of what it contained. Some of these last were kneeling, in order that their burdens might be removed; the captain of the rest, one of the officers attending the caravan, was giving his orders for the bestowal of the merchandise, over which he appointed a strong guard. The camels and mares were then given in charge to some of the attendants, who confined them in slips, leaving them however at liberty to graze round the oasis. A large tent was quickly erected for the whole company, and preparation was made for affording refreshment to the caravan after its march. "Es salam âleikum," (God save you,) exclaimed a meagre, swarthy, and diminutive old man, approaching his cheek to that of Benì Sáker. "Es salam âleikum," returned the other, respectfully kissing the hand of Hátim, for he it was who saluted him. "Have you left peace in your father's house," inquired Hátim. "Saker, thy friend, is in health, and his tribe. are in peace," replied Benì Saker; "but the son of thy friend asks his happiness of thee." "Speak, my son," said Hátim, "tell me in what can Hátim render thee a service?" My father," began Beni Saker, "has a present of goats and young camels for you, and of kids for Cora, and "I see how it is," said Hátim, interrupting him, "well, be it so; but Cora is not with us, I have left her eastward with the rest of my tribe. The flocks have good pasturage, and they will remain there till I return to them. You can accompany the caravan, and go back with me, or depart to-morrow sun-rise, in search of Cora." "I shall seek the tent of Cora without delay," answered Beni Såker. Regard your mare, as well as your mistress," said Hátim; "stay here with the caravan till the morning. The flocks are not above two days' journey from this place, and your mare is swift." They entered the tent together. At the upper end of the tent sat the sheik, with Benì Saker at his right hand, and nearest to them sat the officers of the caravan; the merchants were seated in a double line, after these. The refreshments were then brought in; they consisted of kids' flesh, roast, and boiled rice. After the necessary ceremony of ablution, the meal proceeded, each person putting his hand into the dishes, to supply himself with the provisions before him. They drank only water, which was brought them from the wells. This was indeed no common luxury, being beautifully clear, and of a pleasant flavor. But this good cheer, so unusual among the Bedouins, was not tasted by Beni Sáker; he adhered to his vow of taking nothing more than what was barely sufficient to support nature till he had found his Cora. 66 Beni Sáker rose early the morning after the halt, and whilst the caravan was preparing to pursue its journey, he sought and found Lucas, to whom he restored the two bags of sequins. Stranger," said he, taking the hand of Lucas, "there is your gold; I could not keep it, if I desired to do so, since you are under the care of Hátim; but it would as well be ungrateful in me to injure you, when our meeting has terminated so happily for me. Peace be with you. Return to your country, and be happy; happy as Benì Sáker will be, when sitting in his tent with Cora, or bounding over the desert on his steed." The caravan began its march, and Benì Sáker, bidding farewell to his friend Hátim, and his late companion Lucas, threw himself on the back of his mare, and presently disappeared from the plain. THE LOVE OF COUNTRY. THUS every good his native wilds impart, THIS is one of the assertions which people believe to be true, because nobody has taken the trouble to contradict it; but in reality it is totally against nature, and therefore must be false. The maladie de pays of the Swiss peasant is quoted as an example of the love of country, which its poverty and bleakness rather enhance than diminish. Do you think that the hardy Switzer, who is toiling under the weight of great fur caps and ponderous musket, in the sunny plains of Lombardy, hates those plains merely because they are sunny, and loves his own mountains merely because they are bleak? No such thing; but in the intervals left him between war and dangers, he recalls the scenes of his youthful hours, of his youthful joys the craggy hill is made dear to him by the recollection of his having wandered amid its steeps with his young Annette,-by his pulling the solitary harebell, which grew far up on the rock, and fixing it with a trembling hand and beating heart among the soft curls of the bright-haired mountain maid. He thinks of those scenes as connected with "the old familiar |