Not very far from the Roman gate was the great camel space. It was the
point of departure for caravans to Palmyra, Mecca, and the whole eastern
world. Here were hundreds of camels. They seemed to be waiting for the
finishing burdens. Some were already loaded, and were pausing for the
rest. I know not how long it requires for the completing of a caravan.
But it seems that when some camels are loaded they are taken to the
outside space, and are kept watch over until all of the others are ready.
It must be no small or brief matter to get a caravan ready. Then, when
the last camel is laden, and he takes his place in the caravan, and the
signal is given to move on, what a commotion it makes! Friends come down
to see their friends off. It is the moving off of many people, and of
vast treasures of merchandise. Merchants and travelers, and many others
who wish to go to the distant places across the desert, for any purpose
whatever, go with the caravan. It is the safest way, for the train is
guarded, and has, I imagine, the protection of the government. There is
something singularly poetical, as well as practical, in the moving of the
caravan. It is a thing which does not occur every day. Much commercial
gain depends upon its safe conduct and arrival. The camels must be of
just the right kind to endure the long journey and the great fatigue.
The gait is slow and dull. There is the dreariest monotony. Yet this is
the way these people have been traveling and doing business, and keeping
up the connections for all these long ages. As things now seem, it would
appear to be ages still before the railway, or even the wagon, will take
the place of the much-enduring camel, the ship of the desert.