454 REPOSE OF THE CAMP. 



sanely mattress of the earth, and wrapping them- 

 selves up in their white tobes, were soon numbered 

 among the corse-like sleepers that in every direc- 

 tion were reposing around. Over these, as if on 

 watchful guard, the glistening iron heads of their 

 spears shone in the moon's bright light, and seemed 

 to be ready, self-acting, to protect their dreaming 

 owners. Round polished shields were also ranged 

 carefully against long heaps of salt-bags, or sus- 

 pended from the coarse fringe of saddle-staves that 

 surmounted the stores. The yellow bodied couchant 

 camels filled the centre of the camp, generally 

 employed in triturating the sweetened cud of the 

 day's repast, in the process producing the slightest 

 noise and gentlest action, necessary to give a greater 

 contrasted stillness to the otherwise quiet scene 

 before me. 



