CH. XVI.] Faris imtst Wait for his Money. 



II 



friends the Sliammar and set tilings right, but he is 

 afraid of accidents happening to me on the road." 



We told him, then, to explain to his father that 

 there was great danger of the friendly footing on 

 which they stood being disturbed by a misunder- 

 standino-. Faris had done work for the Pasha and 

 had not been paid for it ; and his people were in a 

 state bordering on revolt. Zakki was concerned to 

 learn this, and promised that his father should hear 

 of it. The Pasha, accordingly, when he came the next 

 morning, as was his custom, to pay us a visit, began 

 himself upon the subject. Pie admitted with great 

 frankness that the sum demanded was really owing, 

 but declared most solemnly that the treasury of the 

 Serai was empty. Not a sixpence could be got from 

 Aleppo, and everybody's pay, his own included, had 

 long been in arrear. This, I dare say, was true enough. 



"Faris,'* he said, "must not suppose that he is 

 the only man who has been doing work gratis for 

 the Sultan this year. We are all on the same foot- 

 ing." He, the Pasha, had otiered him paper money ; 

 but the Bedouins, stupid fellows, understand nothing 

 but silver pieces, and he must take patience till the 

 money (he expected it daily) should come from 

 Aleppo. He was quite ready to believe that Faris 

 had the best intentions in the world, and that the 

 complaints of the Buggara were, as he had assured 

 us, unfounded ; but the Skeykh was responsible for 

 his men's conduct, and could keep them in order if 

 he liked. Everybody in fact must have patience. 



