Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 03.djvu/120

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94 THE WRITINGS OF OSCAR WILDE.

"When the moon rose I saw a camp-fire burning on the plain, and went towards it. A company of merchants were seated round it on carpets. Their camels were picketed behind them, and the negroes who were their servants were pitching tents of tanned skin upon the sand, and making a high wall of the prickly pear. ""As I came near them, the chief of the merchants rose up and drew his sword, and asked me my business. "I answered that I was a Prince in my own land, and that I had escaped from the Tartars, who had sought to make me their slave. The chief smiled, and showed me five heads fixed mupon long reeds of bamboo. "Then he asked me who was the prophet of God, and I answered him Mohammed. "When he heard the name of the false prophet, he bowed and took me by the hand, and placed me by his side. A negro brought me some mare's milk in a wooden dish, and a piece of lamb's flesh roasted. "At daybreak we started on our journey. I rode on a red-haired camel by the side of the chief, and a runner ran before us carrying a spear. The men of war were on either hand,

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