146 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



Essafi had lent me the previous day, and could not be 

 found, though this was by no means an uncommon occur- 

 rence ; for when riding in the woods, the report of ' game- 

 ahead ' would make one dismount instantly, and the whip 

 was somehow or other sure to disappear. A stimulus was 

 given to the discussion by Essafi calling Albert a thief, 

 and by Albert returning the compliment with interest, in 

 declaring that all Essafi's people were thieves, from the 

 Sheik downwards. Essafi now improved the situation 

 by a similar reply, and at the same time cursed Albert's 

 religion. This spirited conversation took place whilst 

 Essafi, mounted, was waiting for me, and as I approached 

 him I saw it come to a sudden termination by Albert 

 with clenched fist striking him in the neck. With one 

 bound Essafi was off his horse, and like a tiger would have 

 sprung upon his foe had not Emanuel and Bob been on the 

 spot, and held him back whilst I took Albert away. It 

 was then useless to speak to Albert about his foolish 

 conduct, for, white with rage, he would only exclaim, ' I 

 am very fond of my religion, and I would kill any man 

 who cursed it.' So in this happy frame of mind I left 

 him under a tree to cool down, and rode off with his 

 adversary. This was scarcely a nice commencement to 

 a day's sport, and instead of the preliminary gallop and 

 wild shout to Abd-el-Khadr, a patron saint, to bring him 

 luck, with which our hunters always start off, Essafi 

 now led the way silently and with head down, as if his 



