One day there was a great laughing and shouting around the tents. No wonder! for there came the ostrich stalking along with Hamid and Rashid on her back. Hamid sat astride the bird's neck, guiding it by a rope which was tied around its head for a bridle.
"Let me get up, too," cried Fatimah, who came running out of the tent; and good-natured Awad swung her up beside the boys.
"Hold on tight," he called out, as away went the big bird with a troop of little Bedouin children following a long way after. Such a ride as the children had! Poor Awad was quite breathless when they got back, from running to keep up with the bird's long strides.
But now Rashid's happy days in the desert were coming to an end; for the time had come when he must leave the "Black Tents" and go home. He was well and strong now, and a messenger had come from his father, saying how much he missed his boy, and how all at home wanted to have him back again.
"Oh, Rashid, must you go?" asked Hamid, who felt very sad at losing his little friend.
"Yes, but my father has sent word that you must come back with me, Hamid, for a visit with us."
And so it was all arranged that not only Hamid was to go with Rashid, but all the family as well. Everybody was very busy making preparations.
There were a great many things to do in order to get ready for the journey, for when a Bedouin travels he takes his house and all his belongings with him.
Long before the peep of day Nassar-Ben had his great camels kneeling before the tents, and the camel men began to fasten the loads on the camels' backs, the beasts were groaning and moaning as they always do when they are being loaded. Camels are very cunning and wise, and try to make out that they have already too much to carry, even before they have made the attempt. Every once and awhile they would get up, and the camel men would cry out to them to kneel down again and keep quiet, giving a sharp blow with the curved stick which the drivers always carry to guide the camels.
One of the camels carried a litter in which Fatimah and her mother were to ride. It was like a broad seat and long enough so that Zubaydah and Fatimah might use it as a bed to lie down upon as well. Arched over it were poles on which hung curtains to keep out the dust and sun.