J2S LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



without first offering a little of it to their masters. 

 Still, though our natural habits widely differ from those 

 of our men, we are on excellent terms with them, es- 

 pecially at our luncheon. This also is a frugal repast, 

 consisting of biscuits that we sometimes soften by soak- 

 ing them in the river until they swell up to twice their 

 normal size, a slice of Dutch cheese, and some figs and 

 dates, and as an occasional treat a tin of preserved 

 meat or a box of sardines ; but, whatever it may be, 

 master and man share alike whilst sitting under the 

 shade of a tree or on the bank of the river. Filters are 

 quite things of the past, for no water could look more 

 pure and clear than the Settite in its present state where 

 it flows over the shallows, and without doubt it is quite 

 pure enough for all practical purposes, as it filters in its 

 rapid course over the shingle. Our Arab neighbours 

 sold us six fresh ostrich eggs yesterday at three piastres, 

 or about sixpence each, their freshness having been first 

 proved by knocking a hole into them and inspecting the 

 contents. They have made a most pleasant variety to 

 our daily fare, cooked in various ways. As an omelette 

 they are excellent, but poached they can only be com- 

 pared with plovers' eggs, with the great advantage of 

 combining quantity with quality. These Arabs do not, 

 as we supposed, confine themselves to ostrich-hunting, for 

 they have caught a rhinoceros. The trap is a very 

 simple arrangement, and is made thus : the trunk or 



