Life — December 4, 1924 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

HOAB'S master was angry, for the boy had forgotten that the water for the camels lay in the south well. “You are a fool,” said his master, as he slapped his cheeks. He did not slap heavily, as Shoab was only nine years old and was, of course, excited by the presence of the other travelers who had joined them at midnight. “When there are two wells, remember which is for the men. You must get used te traveling.” “I am sorry,” said Shoab. began to ery. His master did not hear him crying, for he had rejoined the group about the fire. The man who had come from Hira mountain was talking to the man who had last joined the caravan, “I was asleep beneath a palm when its light wakened me,” he said. “It burned so strongly I thought the fronds of the tree were afire. Then my eyes gradually grew accustomed to it and I saw it was really a star. That was two nights ago,” he added. “I had been restless and sick,” said Shoab's master, “and had gone to the river near my house to bathe. I first saw it reflected in the water. I was alarmed, as that river was never enchanted. My grandmother had once seen water burn and I thought it might be similar magic. The stream was troubled slightly when it first appeared, but in a few moments it- grew placid again. Then I saw it was a reflection. When it began to move my wonder grew and I decided to follow. Every one was frightened and none would come with me except my camel boy, who is too stupid to be frightened. That was last night.” Then ke Adventure of Shoab By Mare Connelly “I saw it first to-night,” said the tall man who had joined them an hour before. “I am a shepherd, and 1 was out in the fields. The sun had just set, when suddenly the brilliance of midday flamed in the sky. ‘This cannot be,’ I told myself, and even as I stood there in confusion the glow about me softened and rose. I looked up and saw it was the star. And now it is gone.” And now it is gone,” echoed the others, They gazed silently at that part of the sky in which the star had marched such a short time before. The wonder of its disappearance seemed to have communicated itself to the whole camp. The animals, packed and saddled for a resumption of the journey, were making no sounds. Even the hum of the wind from across the sand had dropped to the softest) murmur—a murmur so gentle that it barely cov- ered the only sound that came from the darkened camp, that of a little boy sniffling. were no clouds last night, cither,” said Shoab's master at last “Yet, as I told you, it disappeared for a little while. I remember now it was when I turned my back to it, to urge my camel boy to hasten. It did not show it- self again until 1 noticed he was falling asleep. He is not used to traveling.” He had hardly spoken when there was a great excitement in the sky, and out of a confusion of light the star ain appeared, and slow westward. began mov- Instantly the camp was er went to his He found Shoab asleep he camel, whose right forchoof had been troubling him dur- ing the journey, Shoab's master wak ened him gently, for he was touched by the tears still wet on the boy's cheeks. “He is only a little boy,’ thought Shoab’s master. The next night saw a similar mystery in the heavens, The caravan had been moving as the star moved and the night was cold. A donkey belonging to the man from Hira mountain had broken its leg. As the animal was aban doned Shoab had thrown a_ piece of old cloth over it, with the idea that its suffering might not be added to by the wind. Just before dawn, when the star halted and the travelers prepared to rest, Shoab’s master discovered the loss. “It was a piece I might have sold if we reach a city,” said his master. as he slapped the boy. And the star disappeared from the sky, unti sleep hadagain stopped Shoab’s tears The next night the journey ended at Bethlehem. “It was a fine trip,” said Shoab to his playmate when Shoab and (Continued on page 63) comicbooks.com