the gadflies in the world. But Meshedi Abbas thought differently, that the camel knew nothing of his fate. In the morning, when his new owner and his servants came to lead him and his eleven comrades away, none of our men following, he would at length understand that all was over, and that our ways were parted for ever. And then honest Abbas embraced the camel, and kissed him on his mouth.
The camels were all in very good condition, and could, without difficulty, have returned by the same road to Teheran. Only one of them had a small sore on his back, which would quite heal up during the summer. Meshedi Abbas deserved every credit for his excellent management. Now they would be led on the morrow to the highlands of Kain, where the pasturage is good, and there they would be turned loose for fully four months. When their new wool had grown they would commence work again on the caravan roads between Birjan and Meshed. They would go to Yezd and Teheran, to the coast of the Caspian Sea, and to the shining minarets of Ispahan. Ah, what weary, heavy travel awaited them ! With us they had been well off, but new experiences would soon make them forget us. It was not hard to leave these vast silent deserts, their palms, villages, and forts, for now I had them down in pen and pencil in my books. To part from men is also easy. After I have gained an insight into their mode of life and have learned to know them thoroughly, and after they have received their money, I give them a last handshake, and off they go to meet new fortunes. But to say farewell to camels with their unbounded faithfulness is terribly hard ; it is such a sin to leave them carelessly, one feels ungrateful and perfidious, and one's heart aches with thinking of it.
All the bread that money could buy in Bendan was purchased, and was given late in the evening to the camels as a grand banquet, and I portioned out the loaves myself as long as the store lasted. They enjoyed the bountiful repast, and no doubt wondered in their own minds why it was that they, poor working camels, were fed so gratuitously with bread.
" Well, whither do you think yourselves of taking your
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