CHAPTER II.
THE GAZELLE
"Shall I help?" asked Solomon.
"Yes, indeed. Take the seeds in the skirts of your coat and come along," was the answer.
Solomon and Esther were visiting some friends in a village near Jerusalem. It was the month of December and the time to plant the crops in Palestine.
"After we have scattered the grain," Solomon's friend Levi said, "the camel shall help us plough the ground. Then the seed will take care of itself."
It did not surprise Solomon to hear of a camel drawing a plough.
Levi's camel was as useful to him as horses are to farmers in America. Solomon and Esther had been at their friend's many times when the great, slow, clumsy animal helped his master about the farm and garden.
"He isn't handsome, but I love the dear old fellow," said Levi. "He is more patient than most camels. I know he is slow beside some of his fellows, but he cannot help that." Levi stroked the camel's head.
"There, see! He likes to have me notice him as well as my new pet."