94 LIFE WITH THE H AMR AN ARABS. 



so far as nourishment is concerned, that would put the 

 most old-fashioned English cook to the blush. 



Our men are having a grand entertainment to-night, 

 and we for a short time joined the circle of spectators. 

 It consisted chiefly in showing off their various modes of 

 fighting with the sword, spear, and shield ; whilst one 

 man performed the most doleful music, consisting of a 

 constant repetition of three notes on a stringed instru- 

 ment named * rababa,' and evidently belonging to the 

 guitar tribe. 



It was astonishing to see the great rapidity of move- 

 ment and power of spring of these Arabs one moment 

 bounding forward at the imaginary enemy like an ante- 

 lope, and the next crouching behind their shield so as 

 to be completely concealed by it, whilst, by peering 

 through a notch in the margin, they could follow the 

 movements of the enemy. Each of our hunters was called 

 out in turn, and they, in addition to what we had wit- 

 nessed, went through the performance of protecting their 

 respective masters. This was very amusing to look at 

 whilst others were being protected, but when the sword 

 was frantically waved over your own head in the torch- 

 light, the pleasure was somewhat marred by the feeling 

 that, with one little slip, it might be in a condition to be 

 transferred to a plate. An apology was made by the 

 chief of the camel-men for no more complete exhibition 

 of these warlike exercises, and we were quite willing to 



