1592 
GEOGRAPHICAL READER. 
other. These are packed in large bundles, and fastened 
upon the backs of camels. "The food and water for the 
whole company are also carried by camels. 
5. The desert chiefs, who take care of and guide the 
caravan, are mounted on beautiful, swift horses. Their 
saddles and bridles are trimmed with crimson velvet, 
and gold and silver fringes, and buttons. They wear 
long silk robes of bright colors, and rich turbans; and 
with swords by their sides, or spears in their hands, 
they present a very striking appearance. 
6. "The caravans travel during the day, and at night 
encamp, if possible, on some oasis ; but they sometimes 
go on for days without finding any. Chen it occasion- 
ally happens that the water brought with them gives 
out, and they suffer greatly. "The camels can go several 
days without water, but the horses and men cannot; 
and, if they do not soon reach a spring or well, they 
die of thirst. 
7. Besides, fierce winds often sweep over the desert, 
filling the air with thick clouds of sand. Some of these 
sand storms’are so dreadful as nearly to destroy the 
caravans. You would think no one would wish to go 
into such dangers; but the Arabs love the wild life of 
the desert. 
8. The Sahara, though so great, is not the whole of 
Africa, nor even half of it. "There are fertile lands 
both north and south of it. Near the north coast of 
Africa, opposite Italy and Spain, is a mountain land, 
with fine valleys, streams, and lakes. The mountains, 
called the Atlas, are covered with forests. In the val- 
leys are villages and cities surrounded by wheat fields 
and orange groves, vineyards and mulberry trees.