13. When the sun rose he began his journey again. Hours passed, but
still there was no sign of the caravan. At last he was quite overcome by
hunger and thirst. He fell to the ground, and was too weak to rise
again.

14. Looking around, he saw something black lying on the sand, not far
away. He crawled to it, and found that it was a small bag which had
fallen from the back of a camel.

15. The poor Arab was filled with joy. He hoped that the bag would
contain food of some sort. With trembling fingers he tore it open. Alas!
it was full of gold and jewels.

16. "Woe is me!" cried the poor fellow; "had it been dates my life would
have been saved."

[Illustration: {An Arab dying of thirst in the desert}]

17. This little story shows you that on the desert dates may sometimes
be worth much more than gold and jewels. I hope you are well and
happy.--Your loving FATHER.

* * * * *

10. A LETTER FROM INDIA.


1. MY DEAR CHILDREN,--Hurrah! I am on shore again, after nine long days
at sea. Yesterday I reached Bombay, the chief seaport of India.