That I almost received her heart into my own.”
Word Exercise.
- bal´lad
- cov´ert (kŭv´ert)
- draught (draft)
- Bar´ba-ra
- wool´len
- Lew´-thwaite
VI.—THE CAMEL.
In Asia and in Africa there are vast plains of sand, upon which no grass grows, and through which no river runs. These plains are as smooth as the ocean unmoved by waves. As far as the eye can reach, nothing is to be seen but sand. In the middle of the day when the sun is hottest, the sand dazzles the eyes of the traveller, as if there were a sun beneath the sand as well as one above.
Here and there, but many miles apart, are green spots consisting of bushes, trees, and grass, growing around a small pool or spring of water. These green spots are called oases. Here the tired traveller can find food and shade, and can sleep awhile, sheltered from the blazing sun.
How do you think the traveller crosses these burning plains? Not in carriages, nor on horseback, nor in railroad trains, but on the backs of tall, long-necked, humpbacked camels.
Even if you have seen camels alive, or pictures of them, you will still be glad to learn more about these very useful animals.