AKMET HAFFEZ AND THE MARE 



in the midst of her play and froUc. After this 

 exhibition Akmet Haffez led the way to the 

 court of his stables across the streets through 

 the gates in a high mud wall and ordered the 

 mares to be taken into an enclosure where he 

 had many horses picketed. Before the big 

 gates were closed he called by name several of 

 the elder Bedouins and as they came through 

 they touched and kissed his hand. 



The gates were then closed, and he stopped 

 and extended his open hand as if to grasp mine. 

 As I advanced to take his hand, his other 

 gracefully warded me back. All this time the 

 old Sheikh was talking in an emotional voice 

 to the interpreter. I was fearful for the mo- 

 ment that I had offended him in some way, 

 though I could hardly think how. I looked 

 upon Ameene to explain. I saw the inter- 

 preter's face grow full of astonishment and 

 wonder, and turning to me he said : 



"It appears that we have made a diplomatic 

 blunder in calling on this man before we have 

 called on the Governor, and he feels so deeply 

 affected by it, that he wants you to take his 

 hand, but not unless vou can accept the great 

 war mare as his present to you, with the 

 Bedouin boy that now holds her. Her name is 



[85] 



