Afewyearssince，MaximeDuCamp，aneminentmemberoftheFrenchAcademy，travellingfromtheRedSeatotheNilethroughtheDesertofKosseir，cametoabarrenslopecoveredwithboulders，roundedandglossy。
HisMohammedancamel-driveraccountedforthemonthiswise：
“ManyyearsagoHadjiAbdul-Aziz，asheikofthedervishes，wastravellingonfootthroughthisdesert：itwassummer：thesunwashotandtheduststifling；thirstparchedhislips，fatigueweigheddownhisback，sweatdroppedfromhisforehead，whenlookinguphesaw——onthisveryspot——agardenbeautifullygreen，fulloffruit，and，inthemidstofit，thegardener。
“`Ofellow-man，’criedHadjiAbdul-Aziz，`inthenameofAllah，clementandmerciful，givemeamelonandIwillgiveyoumyprayers。’“
Thegardeneranswered：`Icarenotforyourprayers；givememoney，andIwillgiveyoufruit。’