I must admit that by now, against my better judgement, my interest in the contents of the mysterious box had been thoroughly stimulated, and as Sam gazed into the coffer, I found myself stealing a peek over his shoulder. Resting on a threadbare velvet lining, was a small wooden carving of one of the oddest looking creatures I had ever seen.

Mr. Potts removed the carving from its container as carefully as if it were made of delicate glass, then displayed it in front of our faces so that we could get a better look at the uniqueness of the beast.

Sam’s face fell. "Why, it ain’t nothin’ but an ugly, old goat!"

I had to agree. The carving depicted an animal that did somewhat resemble a misshapen goat, sporting a long ewe neck, even longer legs, offset by knobby knees and oversized, splayed feet. But the strangest part of its anatomy was the large hump that it carried on its back, upon which rested an object that looked like some sort of saddle.

"Mr. Gamgee, you hurt my feelings!" Olo replied. "This carving is as rare as the animal itself. This is what is called a Ka’mel, a creature that is taller than the tallest of the big folk, able to travel great distances over burning sands with no need to drink for days at a time!"

"What’s that big knot?" Sam pointed to the spot on the little statue’s back.

"That is its hump." Mr. Potts answered in a matter of fact way.

"Is that supposed to be a saddle strapped onto its hump?" I enquired, taking a closer look at the object carved into the statue’s back.

Potts nodded and Sam snorted in disbelief. "Why, a person would topple right off of anything as deformed as that!"

"Oh no," Potts protested, "Ka’mels are a very important means of getting about in the deserts of the Sunlands. And this particular animal wasn’t deformed. All Ka’mels have humps on their backs. That’s what keeps it from needing frequent drinks. It carries its own water in its hump."

Despite Mr. Potts’s obvious pride in his knowledge about such an unusual animal, I had a difficult time swallowing what sounded suspiciously like a load of rubbish. Sam seemed to be a bit skeptical, as well. He regarded Potts with narrowed eyes for a moment, then shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and said simply, "Oi was ‘oping for an Oliphant."

It must have been all too apparent to Olo that he was dangerously close to losing a potential customer, so he resorted to the sales tactic of ‘laying it on pretty thick’ from that point on.

"Mr. Gamgee, among the inhabitants of Harad, the Ka’mel is far more revered than a mere Oliphant. They have tamed this creature to be more than a beast of burden. They are almost considered family members! Why, when a Ka’mel dies, the owner has it stuffed and mounted and put in a place of honour!"

"Stuffed and mounted?" Sam gave him a look of disbelief but I could tell his doubt was swiftly slipping away.

"And, look here," Said the peddler, placing the statue in Sam’s hands. "You can see the craft and care that went into the making of this carving. Look at the gold, and the real rubies and emeralds trimming the saddle...not to mention the genuine diamond inset on the Ka’mel’s forehead."

The carving was decorative, if a bit gaudy and I had reservations regarding the true value of the jewels enhancing it. But I could tell from the look on Sam’s face that the talented Mr. Potts was about to score a sale. I thought about intervening, but just as I was about to open my mouth, I heard Sam say, "Genuine diamond?"

"Sam..." I began.

" ‘Ow much for this? "

"Well now...", Potts took back the statue from Sam. "It’s quite valuable...however..." he scratched his head as he considered.

"However, what?" Asked Sam.

"Seeing as you’re so interested in Harad and exotic animals....perhaps I could part with it...for something less than its true worth...provided you buy a bottle or two of Dr. Otton’s Famous Feel Good Tonic in the bargain."

I was certain that Sam would realise just how preposterous this deal sounded. It should have been the other way around if the statue was so precious—‘Buy this and I’ll throw in a couple of bottles of tonic?"

"Sam..." I interrupted again, but my friend had already pulled his little sack of coins out of his pocket. I tried again. "Sam, I’m not so sure this is a good idea..."

But Sam wasn’t listening. His eyes glowed at the thought of owning something seemingly as rare as the Ka’mel statue.

"Are you sure you can afford it, lad?" The peddler hedged.

" ‘Ow much?"

Mr. Potts named his price, at which, even I couldn’t restrain a low whistle. Surely Sam would come to his senses. Instead, his face registered momentary disappointment, then he turned to me and asked in a hopeful voice, "Uh...um...Mr. Frodo... Oi ...well...Oi don’t know how to ask...and well...maybe Oi shouldn’t dare to ask...um...."

"Sam, are you trying to ask me for a loan?"

"Oh no, Mr. Frodo!" Sam’s face coloured up. "More like an advance on my salary, that is...if you wouldn’t mind? You could just say it’s my wages for the next couple o’ months. Oi’d even be willing to take on more chores, if need be..."

"Sam! I couldn’t possibly...." I began to reply in surprise. At this, his look of disappointment deepened and I tried to explain. "Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mind making you a loan, but I don’t feel at all right about you going without a salary for a month or two on account of an advance, nor do I think you should have to take on extra chores, especially for," and at my nest words, I lowered my voice to a whisper, "an item that might not be worth the wood it’s carved on."

Mr. Potts cleared his throat and began to make a big production out of replacing the Ka’mel back in its wooden box.

Sam was beside himself. "Please, Sor! It’s from Far Harad. That alone makes it a rare treasure!"

I was tempted to remind Sam that he couldn’t really be sure the carving actually came from Harad. For all either of us knew, Mr. Potts’s cart might have contained a multitude of similar little, wooden Ka’mels adorned with coloured glass jewels. But Sam had already made up his mind. A far as he was concerned, the carving was an item of uncommon worth.

So it was, that I found myself reaching into my own pocket, but not without a little haggling with Mr. Potts over a fair price. Or perhaps I should say, a price that was a little more reasonable and included the purchase of only one, as opposed to two, bottles of Dr. Otton’s Famous Feel Good Tonic.

We then watched as Olo Potts pocketed the money, climbed into his wagon and took up the reins. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Baggins. But, I’m sure that Mr. Gamgee couldn’t have a better friend. That was kind of you, helping him purchase such a fine, rare item!"

"Yes, yes. Fare well, Mr. Potts." I replied, rather hastily, wishing him off, before he thought of another ‘rarity’ to sell to Sam.

"So long, Sirs!" He said with a cheery wave as he turned his cart around and, thankfully, drove out of sight.

Later that same evening, Sam and I paid a visit to the Green Dragon. I couldn’t help but notice that he had a small bundle tucked under his arm that upon a second glance revealed a now all too familiar, wooden box, embellished with the mysterious symbols of Far Harad.....