CH. XXV.] Bedouin Sobriety. 



These presents arc ahvtiys of lionour, not of ('molu- 

 meut ; unci are generally j^assed on at once to 

 friends and dependents, that there may be no doubt 

 as to the purity of the Sheykh's motive. Poor 

 travellers often stay for weeks at a single camp, 

 passing from tent to tent, and being always well 

 received. 



The Bedouins are hot-tempered, but they seldom 

 allow their passions to pass wholly beyond control. 

 It is not often that a quarrel leads to more than 

 words, or that a knife is drawn in anjjjer. One ex- 

 cellent reason for this is their sobriety. No drink 

 stronger than Ichhen* or sour milk, is known 

 among them, and they look upon the use of all 

 fermented liquors as disgraceful. A Frank even, 

 who should take Avine or spirits with him to the 

 desert, would forfeit all their respect. Brutal 

 crimes have no place in the catalogue of Bedouin 

 sins. 



So far, I have spoken only of the men. Of the 

 Bedouin women a shorter description will be enough. 

 In person they are proportionately taller than the 

 men, and it is not unusual to see the older of them 

 fat and unwieldy. As girls they are pretty, in a 

 Avild picturesque Avay, and almost always have 

 cheerful, good-natured faces. They are hardworking 



* Although no European doctor will admit that sour milk can 

 be in the least intoxicating, the Bedouins look upon it as at least 

 a stimulant ; and we, who travelled without anj- other, camo at 

 last to re";ard it as such. 



