"The voice ceased; the

followed, now close at hand.

sound of oars

While the song

lasted, I had remained motionless as if entranced; I now roused myself and ran to Before me the

the edge of the bank.

Euphrates, lighted up by the brilliant moon, swept along in silver eddies between low black lines of shore; and half way across, a small boat, in which two figures sat, floated rapidly down the river; a ripply line of light parted right from under the bows; and the oars, now raised, now lowered, dripped sparkles on the glassy face of the water that they cleft. Of the two within the boat, one rowed, one sat quiet near the stern; but of neither could I discern the features, or anything to recognise by in form or dress. As I looked on the seated figure turned towards me, half-rose, and waved a hand; an instant later the boat and those in it had disappeared from sight

behind a tongue of tall rushes opposite the corner where the canal bent round to join the river.

Not knowing what to think, or who the singers were, whence they came, and what the meaning of their song, and of the signal, if signal it was, that had followed it, I stood fixed and gazing at the spot where the boat had vanished, as if I expected to see it reappear. When, at last, aware of the idleness of my watch, I turned, Aboo-Seleem's third son stood beside me. My prolonged absence from the house had caused some anxiety, and the youngster had, by his father's order, been searching for me everywhere. Of the boat and those in it, he had, it was evident by his manner, neither seen nor heard anything; I asked nothing, and made no allusion to the subject then or afterwards, but followed the lad indoors silently.

"The change had been wrought; I was not indeed my whole former self, yet still Aḥmed Agha, ready for life and action once more. After a short but refreshing sleep, cheered by hopeful dreams, I woke to the projects and interests of the future; called Aman, and bade him to prepare for a journey to distant lands. It was Friday; at noon I dressed myself with care, went to the mosque and joined in the prayers of the day, and an hour later embarked on a large boat, bound for Başrah. From that hour began a new series of events and wanderings, by land and sea, that have at last, as you know, brought me to Egypt, and thence hither.

"Enough of this; I will go and lie down. for the hour or two that remain to dawn; you too, will have need of repose before the work of the day it will be a full one for us all. Good-night." And without waiting for further

talk he took up the striped mughrebee' blanket on which he had been seated, and removed to another part of the deck, where he composed himself to sleep. Tantawee remained for a few minutes where he was, silent and thoughtful, looking at the masts against the sky, and the star-shine on the water, till he too lay down and slept.

"Next morning the ship anchored before 'Akka."

1

That is, from the " Mughreb," or north African coast, where the best of such articles are manufactured.

THE END.