CH. XXVI.] Absence of Superstitions. 223 



some time or otlier of our lives stood face to face 

 with it. In the desert, no one comes back from 

 such an interview, for the first serious iUness kills. 

 The Bedouins know that they Avill die because they 

 have seen others die ; but they have never known 

 what it is to be in the jaws of the lion. Thus, with 

 the terror of death the necessity of another life ceases. 

 It does not present itself to their imagination, and 

 their fancy has never taken wing beyond the grave. 

 Of superstitions I have noticed singularly few in 

 the desert, and none that will stand the test of a sacri- 

 fice of real advantao-e. The Bedouins have indeed 

 certain prejudices as to colour and markings in their 

 mares, and account this lucky and that unlucky ; 

 but none would reject a good animal for a mere 

 fanciful reason. They have no lucky days or lucky 

 months. They attach no omen to the path of birds 

 in the air or of beasts on the plain. Tliey dream 

 no dreams, and see no apparitions. They dress, 

 indeed, their children in black, and keep them un- 

 washed for fear, they say, of the evil eye ; but I 

 would as soon account for it by the common reason 

 — custom. Their ejaculations, too, are mildly su- 

 perstitious, but no one would quarrel with another 

 for using or not using them. The fact is, they care 

 exceedingly little about these things and a great 

 deal for material advantage.* 



* The boy Ghanim, who travelled with us, wore au amulet on 

 his arm, which he had brought from Jebel Shammar as a protec- 

 tion from bullets ; but he was ashamed to have it seen. 



