CH. XX.] Bedouin Tactics. 1 2 1 



We tliouglit lie seemed rather ashamed of liim- 

 self, Lut it is evident he is not a man of war, 

 A little further on we overtook Mohammed Dukhi 

 in a similar position, keeping guard over his sliee]», 

 for the Welled Ali have their sheep with them, and 

 these are always sent to the front on a mareli. 

 JVlohammed Dukhi has the excuse of his lost arm, 

 and at least he shows energy in council. The thing, 

 however, struck us as unworthy of a man of his 

 reputation. 



About a mile beyond the tell, and in sight of the 

 Tudmur hills, Beteyen stopped, and the Gomussa 

 tents soon made a Ijrave show on the level plain they 

 have chosen, with the Welled Ali in front of them, 

 and other tribes arrivino- from the east and south- 

 east. It was terribly hot, and we had a disagreeal^lc 

 hour's waiting in the sun before the tents were 

 pitched, and then we discovered that there was no 

 water, nor had we brought any with us in the hurry 

 of the retreat. This is most annoying as it hampers 

 our movements in every way, and will oblige us pro- 

 bably to make a forced march to-morrow. If it 

 was not for Beteyen's mare, which we still hope to 

 get, we would not stay here now, but go Ijack to 

 the pools we have left. AVe have not come more 

 than twelve miles to-day. 



While waiting in this ^^'ay, young ]\Ieshur came 

 in from the rear with information that the Eoiila 

 had retreated, at least from our part of the line, 

 and everybody was delighted at the news. Still 



