256 ROAD, TRACK, AND STABLE. 



as they commend themselves to the popular judg- 

 ment. The sheikh is an agent rather than a ruler. 

 All matters of real importance are decided by vote. 

 The sheikh leads the tribe to new camping-grounds, 

 settles small disputes, transacts political business, 

 entertains strangers, and keeps open house at all 

 hours of the day and night. This last is perhaps his 

 chief function. The humblest shepherd addresses the 

 sheikh by his Christian name, and neither in dress 

 nor in conduct does he affect any superiority. More- 

 over, the possession of wealth will not procure a man 

 distinction or respect among the Bedouins, any more 

 than the possession of office ; and this is remarkable, 

 because the Bedouins love money to the point of 

 avarice. 



But to high birth the Arab, democrat though he be, 

 renders homage most sincere. There are among the 

 Bedouins certain families of traditional good breed- 

 ing. For such families a respect almost reverential is 

 shown 5 and it is from their members that the sheikhs 

 are usually chosen, isor is this high value errone- 

 ously attached to noble blood. Good breeding and 

 good birth are nearly always found together in the 

 desert, and the sheikhs are commonly distinguished 

 by the quiet elegance and dignity of their manners. 

 If a sheikh be deficient in this regard, he is almost 

 invariably a man of inferior origin, raised to com- 

 mand by force of his own talents and energy. 



The respect which the Bedouins have for high 

 birth in their horses is, if possible, even greater, 

 becoming absolutely fanatical. Lady Anne Blunt J 



1 Mr. Wilfrid Blunt and his wife, Ladv Anne Blunt, made two 

 journeys to the desert, and their observations are recorded in two 



