December 1955 School Magazine

:Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December, 1955

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December, 1955

Suddenly, one of the drivers cried out and pointed to the l1ills that were like clark fortTess es against the bright sky. As every eye fo llowed his quivering arm each heart missed a lJeat. Silhouetted against the sky was the form of a man on l10rseback, silent and still ; not even his loose flowing garments stirred in the slight evening breeze. At his side hung a terrible keen edged swo'I'd and on one arm was slung a tough, copper studded bull-hide shield. In the other hand he carried a gun, ·one with a long barrel that glinted in the dying rays of the sun. ·On his powerful arms gleamed costly silver amulets. His head was covered with a hooded cloak and his face was hidden by .a thick veil. The horse upon which he sat was as black as midnight with a silken coat that glistened in the sunset. It was a fine animal as majestic and noble looking as the man who rode it, the costly silv&r trappings had a fiery glow and the caryed leather wo-rk was of the finest craftsmanship. Then, slowly, as if by a silent signal, another veiled horse- man appeared against th e horizon, then another, and another 1mtil it seemed they were all around the caravan. Some held rifles, oth ers spears, all wore the same flowing black robes, and keen edged, glistening swords, and still the air was silent and foreboding. A cold shiver went through the caravan, for those hoTse- men were not ordinary desert nomads. They were the veiled Touregs, hawks of the desert, hated and feared by all: fo r these men were without mercy. 1'hey were famous for their prowess in battle and hand to hand combat; they were also 1mown for their treachery and cruelty. After the initial shock, the caravan began to· move on, for it would serve no good purpose to linger. ·with fearful eyes turned always on the motionless figures on the hills, the cara- van recommenced its journey. Slowly, keeping abreast of the little band, the Tour·egs moved with them, silently, slowly, menacing . There was now no- sound of the camel drivers ' singing, for even their animals seemed to sense the danger in the air·. Still the desert ravagers followed, never giving any sign of attacking the party. Then, as suddenly as they had appeared, the Touregs left, leaving only their leader standing motionless against the sky, watching the passage of the small caravan. Then, he, too, dis- appeared as swiftly, as silently, as mysteriously, as he had come. Silver stars studded the velvet blackness of the. sky, and c ooking fires gleamed brightly in the darkne~:;s . Somewhere in the shadowy darkness of night, camel herders sa ng their charges to sleep. 1'he ca ravan vvas at rest ... MARGARET HENDRY (IVA) 33

Of dripping dew upon leaf, Which echoed to the depths of slime And stirred the eel and quivered the r eed And blasted the shattered leaves, Falling in fear to the trembling pool, Bubbling up in a death-while pall, Then silence struck-struck once more , Holding more ter ror than the thunder of Thor. Then faded the mist and th ~ sly eel grew still, And black were the depths of the pool.

) ):

- WENDY POPE ( IVE)

DESERT ENCOUNTER Slowly and peacefully the small caravan wended its way · across the still desert. The sky above was a mass o.f beautiful and exotic colour that only a tropical sunset can produce. The camel drivers sang softly to their charges to keep them moving, for the oasis was not far off and it had to be reached before the sun disappeared below the hot;izon.

1 J

JUDITH PETERSEN, IVA.

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