io6 Bcdoiiiji Tribes of the Euphrates, [ch. xx. 



riage was arranged, and then to liave thought that 

 it would be merely a case of " damages " at worst. 

 But the cousin has demanded the girl herself of the 

 father, or four other daughters in her stead, a pre- 

 posterous claim, but one which it seems can legally 

 be made. As a compromise, the father is willing to 

 give his only remaining daughter in place of the 

 one just married ; but the cousin will not hear of this, 

 and, by way of asserting his right, ran one of the 

 old man's camels through with his spear. The 

 whole matter has been referred to ]\Iohammed Dukhi 

 for decision, and the sheykh's tent is crowded to 

 hear the verdict. 



Abd er Kahman, as a learned jurist of Aleppo, 

 is especially interested in this lawsuit and has ex- 

 plained it to us, most fortunately, for we could not 

 understand it Avithout him. AVhat is now being- 

 discussed is the preliminary argument whether the 

 case is to be tried by Bedouin or Mohammedan law, 

 and, though nobody supposes but what the Bedouin 

 law must prevail, an attempt is being made to sub- 

 stitute the other in Jedaan's interests. Abd er 

 Eahman, who knows the Mussulma,n law, has been 

 consulted, and has very likely suggested this line of 

 action to Jedaan, for according to it i\\(^ father's 

 offer of a second daughter would be held sufficient 

 reparation, on the principle that " an injured man if 

 replaced in the position held before injury, ceases to 

 be injured." The cousin however appeals to Bedouin 

 law, which would either annul the marriage or at 



