Nothing more was said for some time. "It is surprising how quickly we finished," said one of the women to Rebecca, as the last basket was emptied. "It is because our friends gave us so much help. Won't you come to the house with us now and have a luncheon?" "No, thank you," answered Rebecca. "It is nearly supper time, and I must go home and do some cooking." "I am anxious to see the dear little gazelle again," said Esther. As she walked back to her friend's house Rebecca told her stories about wild gazelles. "They like to keep together," she said. "They are very fond of each other's company. While they are feeding, one of them stands on guard to see if any enemies are stealing upon them. If he hears a sound that means danger, he gives the alarm and away the flock flees like the wind." "I have often heard father speak of being as fleet as a gazelle," said Esther. "But what are its worst enemies?" "The lion and the leopard, I suppose. Poor little creature! If a lion takes it by surprise, there is little hope for its life. Its only chance is in flight. "There are times when less dangerous animals come upon a herd of gazelles, and then they make a stand to defend themselves. They gather in a close mass, with the mothers and little ones in the centre. The males make a ring on the outside, pointing their horns toward the enemy." "Isn't it wonderful they should be so wise? How did you learn so much about gazelles, Rebecca?" "Levi told me. But I must hurry now to get supper. We are going to have something nice." Rebecca was a good cook. Although Esther was quite hungry from being out-of-doors so much, it did not seem very long before a roast goose and a dish of onions were steaming on the supper table. "It is ready just in time, Levi," said his wife, as her husband and Solomon came into the house. "I am quite tired, but the smell of the supper is enough to make me forget all about it. Tired as I was, though, I stopped to feed my faithful camel." "How old is he?" asked Solomon. "My father had him before he was six months old, and that was twenty years ago. I was a little fellow just toddling about then. So, you see, the camel and I grew up together." [Illustration: LEVI AND HIS CAMEL.] "It is no wonder you love him, Levi," said Solomon. "I don't believe I ever saw a baby camel." "Isn't it hard work training a camel to obey you, and to kneel at your command?" "Father said he had to use a great deal of patience at first. The camel kicked and fought and grumbled before he could be made to bend his knees. Even now, he scolds a good deal about obeying, as you children know." "Esther and I saw a camp of Bedouins on our way here," said Solomon. "They were tending a flock of beautiful sheep. One of the shepherds was holding a new-born lamb in his bosom."