ARABIA 27 



I have heard the old adage, ' In the desert no one meets 

 a friend.' 



' Yes, it is one they verify daily, unless the rites of 

 hospitality have already been offered, and bread has been 

 broken with the stranger in the " tents of Shem." But they 

 have certain unmistakable signs to show that their enter- 

 tainment is at an end, and no hesitation then in declaring 

 themselves at enmity.' 



Are their manners agreeable ? 



'The sheiks have a grave and haughty dignity in their 

 bearing, and polished manners, so affable that they can 

 quickly secure the attachment of neighbouring tribes. 

 Gifted with a courage never yielding and never dying, 

 they are also born traders, and soon acquire great influence 

 in their surroundings.' 



You must have made opportunities to learn everything 

 possible about their famous horses ? 



' My object in visiting the Arabs was always to purchase 

 horses, and while I was prepared for trickery and even 

 treachery in their dealings, I succeeded, even if stratagem 

 were the means. They knew I was not to be deceived 

 easily, and the remote ties of consanguinity had its 

 influence. 



' But if a man comes armed with wealth and might, 

 desiring to purchase a favourite horse, the Arab will plunge 

 into the desert, inaccessible except to the native, and 

 there hide himself and his horse, until the danger of losing 

 him is past. If the intending purchaser, however, brings 

 only money, he had better have stayed at home, for the 

 Arab will first kill and then plunder him. They are 

 notorious highwaymen, and the laws of their country 

 shield, rather than punish, such misdoings.' 



