cii. XXV.] Lazi). 



205 



shame attacliecl to such acts of rapine, more than 

 in ancient times was attached to the plunder and 

 enslaving of aliens within the Eoman frontier. By 

 desert law, the act of passing through the desert 

 entails forfeiture of goods to whoever can seize 

 them.* 



A respect for law is indeed one of the leading 

 features of the Bedouin character ; but it must Ije 

 understood of their own law only, not of Turkish or 

 European law. These they despise. Justice indeed, 

 substantial justice independent of persons, is no- 

 where more often appealed to nor more certain of 

 attainment than in the desert. The poor man there 

 never suffers wrong, as a i^oor man; and all 

 cases are decided according to the strict meaning of 

 the law, it is impossible to say the letter, for it is 

 unwritten. Petty cases are disposed of daily l^y the 

 Sheykh of the section or tribe, much as a country 

 magistrate deals with, questions of vagrancy or 

 affiliation, while more important matters are re- 

 served for the special decision of a superior or 

 stranger Sheykh, or else for arbitration by tlu-ee, 

 seven, or twelve jurors. I know of a case thus 

 decided by jury, which will serve as an excellent 

 illustration of the kind of disputes raised, and 



* " According to Eoman law, iu its more improved state, an alien 

 with whose country the relations of friendshii^ and hospitalitj' did 

 not exist, was not technically considered an enemy, liosth, yet his 

 person might lawfully be enslaved and his in-operty confiscated if 

 found on Eoman territory."— Wheaton's Law of Nations. 



