The desert ceased, the caravan entered upon a vast but fruitful plain.
In the extreme distance might be descried a long undulating line of
palm-trees. The vanguard gave a shout, shook their tall lances in the
air, and rattled their scimitars in rude chorus against their small
round iron shields. All eyes sparkled, all hands were raised, all voices
sounded, save those that were breathless from overpowering joy. After
months wandering in the sultry wilderness, they beheld the great
Euphrates.
Broad and fresh, magnificent and serene, the mighty waters rolled
through the beautiful and fertile earth. A vital breeze rose from their
bosom. Every being responded to their genial influence. The sick were
cured, the desponding became sanguine, the healthy and light-hearted
broke into shouts of laughter, jumped from their camels, and embraced
the fragrant earth, or, wild in their renovated strength, galloped over
the plain, and threw their wanton jerreeds in the air,[18] as if to
show that suffering and labour had not deprived them of that skill and
strength, without which it were vain again to enter the haunts of their
less adventurous brethren.
The caravan halted on the banks of the broad river, glowing in the
cool sunset.
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