IN DESERT PLACES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 29

IN DESERT PLACES

A Peep at Little Arab People

Mahomet and Beltan lived in Tunisia just on the edge of the desert, and they always looked forward to the time when they would go across on their camels to a little oasis, about forty miles away, which was owned by their father.

This they did once a year, to help at the gathering of dates. It was great fun. for not only did they live in tents all tli€> time, but many other families came there, too —cousins and uncles, who really lived all their lives right in the desert. So they were able to have some of their favourite games, when all the grown men were busy among the palms or packing the fruit: for these dates are so famous that they are sent out all over the world.

“Let’s have the great ring,” said Beltan, one evening, when it was beginning to grow* cool. “Shall we make it in the sand, or shall we get the camels?”

“Too much wind for sand.” cried All, putting up his hand to find out the direction, for really it was a very gentle breeze.

Meanwhile Alalii and Kctuur • joined the other little girls undei j trees near where the spring bul up. It was a very important da> ; them, the Feast of Dates, when | brought out all their best toys j dolls ant? entertained them wi sweet, sticky syrup made from fruit. Some had quite beaut, ful | bought in Tunis itself—probably j had come all the way from Italy. O • had only wooden ones cut out for by father, and dressed up in sera ! silk. There were wooden camels. J anti a kind of creature made ou j plaited straw which might have • anything with four legs, but v Maid was quite sure must be a h While the feast was going on. | came through the clear air the s I of a horn.

Mahomet laughed, but Ali was the eldest of the party, and in the end, they usually did what lie said. Besides, he knew* more about the desert ways than any of the others; he had been much farther in.

“Get the camels, then.” said Beltan; “everybody fetch one.’’ In a short time they had each brought a favourite in, and persuaded him to kneel down. In spite of much grumbling and groaning, which is a camel’s way, they were very good playfellows, and enjoyed the whole thing as much as the boys. The ring made, Ali shouted, “Everybody ready. Now then, you six go into the centre, and the rest outside.” Those in the centre were allowed a short time to build a sort of fort, and then the game began. The aim was for the defenders to get out or for the attackers to get in. If half of those outside reached the centre together, they had won, or if three of the six from the fort managed to dislodge a camel and get out, then their side had won. It was wildly exciting, the camels were allowed to Join in. and they played up quite as well as their small masters. There was Beltan, shouting from the fort to his white Camel, Zeb, to get up, while he and two others prepared to rush out through the gap. pelting sand balls at the attackers all the time. Mahomet hung on to Zeb to try to prevent his getting up, but it was no use! Zeb shook him oliY, there was a scramble, and the three were out through the breach. “Our win,” cried Beltan. breathlessly patting Zeb’s neck. And so the game went on till one side had won three times, or until the sun went dawn.

Up jumped the children at crying, “the Sugar-man. the Si man.” It was a venerable loakin, Arab with a long white beard whe just drawn in to the oasis witl camels, hut he was already rounded, for not only would he sweets for the children, but news the outside world. Once in two v he came across from the town of ? .over the 40 miles of sand.

One was shouting, “Oh. Ibra have you brought my saddle?” ether. “What news of the dates o border? Is there a large crop?” the children chanted, “Have you sweetmeats from the Bazaar?”

He was quite accustomed, how to all this clamour. and lie ci ordered his men to loosen the bin laughingly remarking. “If I had many tongues as the sand I r answer your questions. It is lat« little ones, the Sugar-man selle sweets tni the morning. For the I take my supper; then you shall your news.”

And so it was next day that Ibr: opened his packets, and what s’ meats! But best of all were the a* lie made, himself, into all shapes. 1 ing them with his p pe. Camel? horses, tents and men. All day he was the centre of an excited ci but when it was cool and starligl loaded up his camels with fresh of dates and went back once across the lonely desert to the cit• j