66 Bcdoitin Tribes of the Euphrates, [gh, xix. 



The last two miles we travelled at a more sober 

 pace, and the sun appeared as we rode hi through 

 the stone gateway of Arak. 



We found Mr. S. in the act of mounting to 

 join us, and for a moment, seeing two figures in 

 white cloaks and yellow turbans riding up to him, 

 he w^as quite mystified, for our costume is indeed a 

 mongrel one, partly European, partly Bedouin, and 

 partly fellah — the result of accident rather than of 

 choice. It is not wise for Europeans to adopt a 

 purely Bedouin dress in the desert, as l^y doing so 

 they lose all the prestige of their nationality, while 

 on the other hand hats and riding-habits, at all times 

 unpractical, are impossible in hot weather. A Be- 

 douin mashlakh worn over a light suit of European 

 clothes is convenient, and has the advantage of being 

 the usual dress of travellers in the desert, but the 

 kefiye or handkerchief, generally added by them as 

 a protection to the face, is not nearly so comfortable, 

 and we have adopted the turban instead. Of all 

 head-dresses this is the most practical in cam- 

 paigning. It is equally good in hot and in cold 

 weather, in wind and in rain. It protects the 

 head from a blow" as effectually as a helmet. It 

 can be torn up to staunch wounds. It can be 

 used as a rope or a girdle. And above all it is 

 a pillow, the most necessary thing for a cam- 

 paigner to carry with him. The turban, however, 

 is the badge of the fellah in these regions, and 

 does not command respect. Turkish officials wear 



