PREFACE 



This book has not been written with any idea 

 that it will add to literature. Indeed, my pri- 

 mary object in going to the Syrian desert was 

 not to see things and then over-describe them in 

 a book; I had no use for souvenir spoons or 

 Turkish rugs. My purpose was but for one 

 thing, and that was to obtain Arab mares and 

 stallions of absolute purity of blood that I 

 could trace as coming from the great Anezeh 

 tribe of Bedouins. That was my fixed idea in 

 undertaking the journey. 



I had been deeply interested in the Arab 

 horse for many years before I really knew any- 

 thing about them. Then, when I thought I 

 had begun to acquire some knowledge of the 

 breed I found that I was not learning much. 

 Information about them, obtainable in this 

 country, was confusing; alleged authorities 

 contradicted each other in every argument ; the 

 thing to do, it seemed to me, was to go myself 

 to the home of the Arab horse and there learn 

 of him from his master, the Bedouin. 



[ xiii ] 



