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* * * * *
LESSON XVIII.
ex pos'es, _shows_.
mi mo'sa, _a tree that grows in Africa_.
mot'tled, _marked with spots of different color_.
re sem'bling, _looking like_.
ap proach', _coming near_.
pub'lic, _open to all; free_.
va'ri ous, _different; unlike in kind_.
de fend', _take care of; protect_.
gait, _manner of stepping_.
pre vents', _keeps from; stops_.
ca' pa ble, _having power; able_.
* * * * *
THE GIRAFFE OR CAMELOPARD.
There are few sights more pleasing than a herd of tall and graceful
giraffes.
With, their heads reaching a height of from twelve to eighteen feet,
they move about in small herds on the open plains of Africa, eating the
tender twigs and leaves of the mimosa and other trees.
The legs of a large giraffe are about nine feet long, and its neck
nearly six feet; while its body measures only seven feet in length and
slopes rapidly from the neck to the tail.
The graceful appearance of the giraffe is increased by the beauty of its
skin, which is orange red in color and mottled with dark spots.
Its long tail has at the end a tuft of thick hair which serves the
purpose of keeping off the flies and stinging insects, so plentiful in
the hot climate of Africa.
[Illustration]
Its tongue is very wonderful. It is from thirteen to seventeen inches in
length, is slender and pointed, and is capable of being moved in various
ways. It is almost as useful to the giraffe as the trunk is to the
elephant.
The horns of the giraffe are very short and covered with skin. At the
ends there are tufts of short hair. The animal has divided hoofs
somewhat resembling those of the ox.
The head of the giraffe is small, and its eyes, large and mild looking.
These eyes are set in such a way that the animal can see a great deal of
what is behind it without turning its head.
In addition to its wonderful power of sight, the giraffe can scent
danger from a great distance; so there is no animal more difficult of
approach.
Strange to relate, the giraffe has no voice. In London, some years ago,
two giraffes were burned to death in their stables, when the slightest
sound would have given notice of their danger, and saved their lives.
The giraffe is naturally both gentle and timid, and he will always try
to avoid danger by flight. It is when running that he exposes his only
ungraceful point.
He runs swiftly, but as he moves the fore and hind legs on each side at
the same time, it gives him a very displeasing and awkward gait.
But though timid, he will, when overtaken, turn even upon the lion or
panther, and defend himself successfully by powerful kicks with his
strong legs.
The natives of Africa capture the giraffe in pitfalls, which are deep
holes covered over with branches of trees and dirt. When captured, he
can be tamed, and gives scarcely any trouble during captivity.
Fifty years ago, but little was known about giraffes in Europe or
America. Now we can find them in menageries and the public gardens of
our large cities.
The giraffe thrives in captivity and seems to be well satisfied with a
diet of corn and hay. It is a source of great satisfaction to those who
admire this beautiful animal, that there is no reason which prevents him
from living in a climate so different from that of his African home.
* * * * *
Language Lesson.--Write statements containing each of the following
words, used in such a manner as to show their proper meaning: _feet,
feat; red, read; fore, four; gait, gate_.
Model.--
We are coming to _see_ you to-morrow.
He stood watching the ships sailing on the _sea_.
* * * * *
LESSON XIX.
ex pert', _skillful_.
ad vise', _offer advice; give notice of what has happened_.
civ'il ized, _having laws, learning, and good manners_.
quan'ti ty, _a large amount; part_.
in duce', _lead one to think or act_.
pre pared', _made ready for use_.
de part'ed, _went away_.
hence forth', _from this time forward_.
part'ner, _one who shares with another, as a partner in business_.
ar riv'ing, _coming to; reaching a point_.
con vince', _make one believe_.
* * * * *
THE TRADER'S TRICK.
Out in the West, where many Indians live, there are white men who go
among them to trade for furs and skins of animals.
These furs and skins are collected and prepared by the Indians, and
serve the purpose of money when the traders visit them to dispose of
various kinds of goods.
In old times, before the white men came to this country, the Indians had
only bows and arrows, and spears with which to hunt.
But the white men soon taught them to use guns, and to-day, nearly all
the tribes in America are well supplied with rifles or shotguns.
They are very expert with these fire-arms, and as they use them a great
deal, must have a large and constant supply of gunpowder.
A story is told of how, at one time, a tribe of Indians tried to raise
gunpowder by planting seed. This shows how little they knew of civilized
life and habits.
A trader went to a certain Indian nation to dispose of a stock of goods.
Among other things he had a quantity of gunpowder.
The Indians traded for his cloths, hats, axes, beads, and other things,
but would not take the powder, saying: "We do not wish for the powder;
we have plenty."
The trader did not like to carry all the powder back to his camp; so
thought he would play a trick on the Indians, and induce them to buy it.
Going to an open piece of ground near the Indian camp, he dug some
little holes in the soft, rich soil; then mixing a quantity of onion
seed with his powder, he began to plant it.
The Indians were curious to know what he was doing, and stood by greatly
interested.
"What are you doing?" said one. "Planting gunpowder," replied the
trader.
"Why do you plant it?" inquired another.
"To raise a crop of powder. How could I raise it without planting?" said
the trader. "Do you not plant corn in the ground?"
"And will gunpowder grow like corn?" exclaimed half a dozen at once.
"Certainly it will," said the trader. "Did you not know it? As you do
not want my powder, I thought I would plant it, and raise a crop which I
could gather and sell to the Crows."
Now the Crows were another tribe of Indians, which was always at war
with this tribe. The idea of their enemies having a large supply of
powder increased the excitement, and one of the Indians said:
"Well, well, if we can raise powder like corn, we will buy your stock
and plant it."
But some of the Indians thought best to wait, and see if the seed would
grow. So the trader agreed to wait a few days.
In about a week the tiny sprouts of the onion seed began to appear above
the ground.
The trader calling the Indians to the spot, said: "You see now for
yourselves. The powder already begins to grow, just as I told you it
would."
The fact that some small plants appeared where the trader had put the
gunpowder, was enough to convince the Indians.
Every one of them became anxious to raise a crop of gunpowder.
The trader sold them his stock, in which there was a large mixture of
onion seeds, at a very high price, and then left.
From this time, the Indians gave no attention to their corn crop. If
they could raise gunpowder, they would be happy.
They took great care of the little plants as they came up out of the
ground, and watched every day for the appearance of the gunpowder
blossoms.
They planned a buffalo hunt which was to take place after the powder
harvest.
After a while the onions bore a plentiful crop of seeds, and the Indians
began to gather and thresh it.
They believed that threshing the onion seeds would produce the powder.
But threshing failed to bring it. Then they discovered that they had
been cheated.
Of course the dishonest trader avoided these Indians, and did not make
them a second visit.
After some time, however, he sent his partner to them for the purpose of
trading goods for furs and skins.
By chance they found out that this man was the partner of the one who
had cheated them.
They said nothing to him about the matter; but when he had opened his
goods and was ready to trade, they coolly helped themselves to all he
had, and walked off.
The trader did not understand this. He became furiously angry, and went
to make his complaint to the chief of the nation.
"I am an honest man," said he to the chief. "I came here to trade
honestly. But your people are thieves; they have stolen all my goods."
The old chief looked at him some time in silence, and then said: "My
children are all honest. They have not stolen your goods. They will pay
you as soon as they gather their gunpowder harvest."
The man had heard of the trick played upon the Indians; but did not know
before this, that his partner was the one who had cheated them. He could
not say a word. He departed at once. Arriving at his home, he said to
his partner:
"We must separate. I have learned a lesson. I can not remain in business
with a dishonest man. You cheated the Indians for a little gain. You
have lost it, and I advise you, henceforth, to deal honestly with all
men."
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--In the first paragraph of the lesson, notice
the places marked below (__) where words are likely to be run together
in reading, and avoid making such errors.
"Out__in the West, there__are men who trade for furs__and skins__of
animals."
Point out similar places in the second paragraph.
Name four _emphatic words_ occurring in the last sentence of the
lesson.
* * * * *
Language Lesson. Syllabify, accent, and mark sounds of letters in the
following words: _dispose, gunpowder, complaint, henceforth_.
Give reasons for the capital letters and marks of punctuation used in
the last paragraph of the lesson.
Tell the story in your own words, using the points given in the
following
Analysis.--1. Trading with the Indians. 2. The use of fire-arms among
the Indians. 3. The trader's trick. 4. Visit of the trader's partner. 5.
What the Indians did. 6. The return of the partner. 7. What he said to
the trader.
* * * * *
LESSON XX.
floss'y, _made of silk_.
mag'ic, _unnatural power_.
war'bling, _singing_.
mope, _become stupid or dull_.
boun'ty, _what is given freely_.
lan'guish, _become weak; wither_.
* * * * *
A HAPPY PAIR.
Over my shaded doorway
Two little brown-winged birds
Have chosen to fashion their dwelling,
And utter their loving words;
All day they are going and coming
On errands frequent and fleet,
And warbling over and over,
"Sweetest, sweet, sweet, O sweet!"
Their necks are changeful and shining,
Their eyes like living gems;
And all day long they are busy
Gathering straws and stems,
Lint and feathers and grasses,
And half forgetting to eat,
Yet never failing to warble,
"Sweetest, sweet, sweet, O sweet!"
I scatter crumbs on the doorstep,
And fling them some flossy threads;
They fearlessly gather my bounty,
And turn up their grateful heads.
And chatter and dance and flutter,
And scrape with their tiny feet,
Telling me over and over,
"Sweetest, sweet, sweet, O sweet!"
What if the sky is clouded?
What if the rain comes down?
They are all dressed to meet it,
In water-proof suits of brown.
They never mope nor languish,
Nor murmur at storm or heat;
But say, whatever the weather,
"Sweetest, sweet, sweet, O sweet!"
Always merry and busy,
Dear little brown-winged birds!
Teach me the happy magic
Hidden in those soft words,
Which always, in shine or shadow,
So lovingly you repeat,
Over and over and over,
"Sweetest, sweet, sweet, O sweet!"
* * * * *
Language Lesson.--Let pupils express, in their own language, the words
given below in dark type.
Their eyes are like _living gems_.
Which you always repeat _in shine or shadow_.
What kind of birds are described in the lesson?
Why did they gather straws, stems, lint, feathers, and grasses?
* * * * *
LESSON XXI.
mes'sage, _word; notice_.
mer'chan dise, _things traded; goods_.
guid'ance _leading; directing_.
halt, _stop_.
de cid'ed, _made up their minds_.
re trac'ing, _going back over_.
ho ri'zon, _line where the earth and sky seem to meet_.
en camped', _set up tents_.
sole, _only_.
gushed, _flowed rapidly; poured_.
* * * * *
ALI, THE BOY CAMEL-DRIVER
PART I.
Hassan was a camel-driver who dwelt at Gaza. It was his business to go
with caravans, backwards and forwards, across the desert to Suez, to
take care of the camels. He had a wife and one young son, called Ali.
Hassan had been, absent for many weeks, when his wife received from him
a message, brought by another camel-driver, who had returned with a
caravan from Suez.
It said: "Send the boy with the camel to Suez with the next caravan. I
have some merchandise to bring home, and I will stop at Suez till he
comes."
Ali's mother was pained at the thought of sending her young son away to
such a distance for the first time; but she said to herself that Ali
was now quite old enough to be helping his father, and she at once set
about doing what was required for his journey.
Ali got out the trappings for the camel, and looked to the water-bottles
to see that they did not leak. His mother did all that was needed to
make him quite ready to join the next caravan that started.
Ali was delighted to think that he was to go to his father, and that at
last the day was come when, he too was to be a camel-driver, and to take
a journey with the dear old camel which he was so fond of.
He had long wanted to ride on its back across the desert, and to lie
down by its side to rest at night. He had no fear.
The camel, of which Ali was so fond, had been bought by his father with
the savings of many a year's hard work, and formed the sole riches of
the family.
Hassan was looked upon as quite a rich man by the other camel-drivers,
and Ali, besides having a great love for the animal, was proud of his
father being a camel owner.
Though it was a great creature by the side of the young boy, it would
obey the voice of Ali, and come and go at his bidding, and lie down and
rise up just as he wished. Hassan called his camel by an Arabian word,
which meant "Meek-eye."
At last, there was a caravan about to start for Suez which Ali could
join. The party met near the gates of the city, where there were some
wells, at which the water-bottles could be filled. Ali's mother
attended, and bid her son a loving farewell.
The caravan started. The camels which were to lead the way, had around
their necks jingling bells, which the others hearing, followed without
other guidance.
Ali looked about and saw his mother standing near the city gate. He took
his cap off and waved it above his head, and his mother took off the
linen cloth which she wore over her head, and waved it.
Tramp, tramp, tramp went the camels, their soft spongy feet making a
noise as they trod the ground. The camel-drivers laughed, and talked to
each other.
Ali was the only boy in the caravan, and no one seemed to notice him. He
had a stout heart, and tried not to care.
He could talk to Meek-eye, and this he did, patting the creature's back,
and telling him they would soon see his father.
The sun rose higher and higher, and the day grew hotter and hotter. The
morning breeze died away, and the noon was close and sultry.
The sand glowed like fire. There was nothing to be seen but sand and
sky. At mid-day a halt was made at one of the places well known to the
drivers, where shade and water could be had.
The water-bottles were not to be touched that day, for at this place a
little stream, which gushed from a rock, supplied enough for the men,
while the camels needed no water for many days.
After resting a short time, the kneeling camels were made to rise, the
riders first placing themselves on their backs, and the caravan then
moved on.
At night the party encamped for rest, the camels lying down, while fires
were lighted and food was prepared.
Several days were thus passed, and Ali found that he liked this kind of
life as well as he thought he should.
No Arabs were met with, nor even seen; but a danger of the desert, worse
than a party of Arabs, came upon them.
There arose one day at noon, one of those fearful burning winds which do
such mischief to the traveler and his camel. The loose sand was raised
like a cloud. It filled the nostrils and blinded the eyes.
The only thing to be done, was for the men to get off the backs of the
camels, and lie down with their faces to the earth.
After the storm had passed, they arose to continue their journey. But
the sand had been so blown as to cover the beaten track, and thus all
trace of the road was lost.
The camel-drivers who led the way stood still, and said that they did
not know which way to turn.
No distant rock or palm-tree was to be seen, and no one could say which
was the south, towards which their faces ought to be turned.
They wandered on, now turning to the right, and now to the left; and
sometimes, when they had gone some distance in one direction, retracing
their steps and trying another.
The caravan made a halt, and it was now decided to journey towards the
setting sun, in hopes of finding once more the right track.
Night came on, however, and they had not found it, nor had they reached
any place where they could fill their water-bottles, which were empty.
Once or twice, some one of the party fancied that he saw in the distance
the top of a palm-tree; but no, it turned out to be but a little cloud
upon the horizon.
They had not yet found the old track; neither had they supplied
themselves with water to cool their parched lips.
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--Always take breath before beginning to read a
sentence. If the sentence is a long one, choose such places for breathing
as will not injure the sense.
When we are out of breath, we are likely either to read too fast, or
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