Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/30

Rh "Water!" murmured the girl feebly, "Water!"

Abdallah threw himself upon his knees, and kissed his parents' hands.

"Let me go!" he entreated, "for if I go not she will die!"

They hesitated. Then the mother said eagerly,——

"A good thought has come to me, my husband. Let Abdallah take with him my necklace of many green and white beads, and at every sixth step, let him drop one upon the sand. Thus may he find his way back to us,—or, if not, thou canst by this means follow and find him."

"Wisely dost thou counsel, Kadijah," answered Hassan. "Do as thy mother bids thee, Abdallah, and the blessing of the Most High go with thee."

Abdallah was filled with joy at his parents' consent. His eyes shone as he thanked them. Then he bent down to kiss his little sister's brow, and held out