40 ^HAEMONIES. 



where man never enjoys the refreshment of a shadow, or 

 rests his limbs under cover of a dwelling. There is a 

 deep blue aerial haze spread over the surface, but the dis- 

 tant horizon is nevertheless clear and sharply defined: 

 not an eminence rises to break the monotonous flat, higher 

 than the slight hillocks of sand sprinkled with a withered 

 herbage, which are undiscerned except in their immediate 

 proximity, while along the edge extends a large district 

 covered with salt, distinguished from the rest by its 

 peculiar colour. 



Suddenly a herd of gazelles is seen playfully bounding 

 over the sandy mounds, and displaying their elegant 

 forms, and striking though simple colours, and the in- 

 imitable grace and beauty of all their actions. The 

 Bedouins seize their lances, the travellers draw their 

 pistols, and, distributing themselves into a wide circle, 

 endeavour to encompass the herd. They seem heedless 

 and unconscious for a time, and then, as the intruders 

 approach, they hold up their beautiful heads, toss their 

 curved and taper horns, and trot up into a closer group. 

 Then, seeing their enemies spurring their steeds from 

 behind the sandy hillocks all round them, they suddenly 

 shoot away with the rapidity of the wind, easily dash 

 through the loosely-formed circle, and, though lances are 

 cast, and pistol-shots resound, unharmed they quickly 

 distance the fleetest of their pursuers ; turn and gaze, as 

 if in mingled curiosity and contempt, and then away 

 again, bounding over the tawny sand with an agility that 

 seems rather that of flight than of running. 



