CHAPTER IX 



WE FEAST WITH THE ANEZEH AND BECOME BET- 

 TER ACQUAINTED INSPECTION AND PUR- 

 CHASE OF HORSES 



This interchange of formalities and courte- 

 sies broke the ice and we instantly felt that we 

 were at home in the Bedouin camp. Our hosts 

 brought us a delicious drink of water mixed 

 with curdled milk of the sheep, goat and camel, 

 and we did not in the least mind that the water 

 was muddy or that the mixture was stirred in 

 a dirty pail with a dagger. We liked it all 

 the more. Presently the slave who makes the 

 coffee began to beat time on a large wooden 

 bowl with ornamental sides. The stick he used 

 was heavy, and in the noise there was a ring of 

 ragtime that was fascinating. No tune ever 

 impressed itself on me more than that weird 

 coffee beating, the muffle sound of which could 

 be heard a quarter of a mile. 



Coffee galore was served, but I had to de- 



[105]^ 



