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Show and were facing the sunset. Abrupt ly the world had changed. A glory of color dazzled their eyes. The river now flowing quietly, wound away in~ the bosom of an oasis of magnificent palm-trees that lay in a measureless expanse of pale-yellow earth covered with scattered crystals. To the left stretched a distant mountain range, dim purple beneath the rose of the sunset. And from three Arab villages of brown houses scattered among the palms came the cries of children, the barking of dogs, and the faint sounds of African drums and hautboys. Under a great rock by the riverside sat an Arab boy piping a tune that was like caprice personified in music. "Oh, Crumpet!" said Lady Wyveme, after a little pause of contemplation, "how strange it is and how -how-'' '4 She caught her breath. There were tears in her eyes. "Camels! Camels!" she cried. "Look, Crumpet!" A caravan was winding out of the gorge, a train of laden camels, and barefooted, dark-faced men in fluttering, ragged garments. "Doosid picturesque," assented Sir Claude. "To get a shot at the sheep you have to-" "Yes, yes, I know." "Well, but how can you-" "I tell you I know-I know. We'll stay two nights. Go off to-morrow at three and kill whatever you like. Only let me stay and explore those villages and wander among those / ~'i palms." / r"/ "You can't go alone." 1/, " I'll take a guide." u~ . "I'll find out at the hotel if there's one that's all right," muttered Claude. "This fellow |