He could talk to Meek-eye, and this he did, patting the creature's back, and telling him they would soon see his father.
The sun rose higher and higher, and the day grew hotter and hotter. The morning breeze died away, and the noon was close and sultry.
The sand glowed like fire. There was nothing to be seen but sand and sky. At mid-day a halt was made at one of the places well known to the drivers, where shade and water could be had.
The water-bottles were not to be touched that day, for at this place a little stream, which gushed from a rock, supplied enough for the men, while the camels needed no water for many days.
After resting a short time, the kneeling camels were made to rise, the riders first placing themselves on their backs, and the caravan then moved on.
At night the party encamped for rest, the camels lying down, while fires were lighted and food was prepared.
Several days were thus passed, and Ali found that he liked this kind of life as well as he thought he should.
No Arabs were met with, nor even seen; but a danger of the desert, worse than a party of Arabs, came upon them.
There arose one day at noon, one of those fearful burning winds which do such mischief to the traveler and his camel. The loose sand was raised like a cloud. It filled the nostrils and blinded the eyes.
The only thing to be done, was for the men to get off the backs of the camels, and lie down with their faces to the earth.