THE BEDAWEEN 197 



Arabs are fond of comparing their mares to well-formed 

 and beautiful women, distinguished by their swinging walk, 

 and looking from side to side, at objects, as they pass. 

 Most mares object strongly to strangers, resenting with 

 teeth or heels, the familiarity of an attempt to touch. Horses 

 are less impressible and exclusive, but the desert-born horse 

 or mare, bold as a lion in his accustomed place, is scared 

 and wildly excited, when brought into contact with un- 

 familiar sights and sounds. 



It is a grave mistake to confuse the Bedaween with Turks 

 and other peoples of the East in general, and many of the 

 men who offer horses for sale in Eastern countries are not 

 genuine Arabs. Frequently they are Turcomans or Jews, 

 and as to the pedigrees they show, being in the handwriting 

 of the Bedaween, nothing could be more absurd, for it is 

 hard to find one who can read or write. Notwithstanding 

 this, they know more of other nations, and of what is going 

 on, than they get credit for, and are quick to appreciate 

 all that is true, just and noble, in political relations as in 

 private matters. 



