cii. XXVII.] The Lazus oj IVar. 237 



tary talent among themselves, that they have been 

 obliged to take Jedaan, a mere outsider, as their 

 commander. AVar is so habitual a state of thino-s 

 among the tribes, that the Akid is a person of the 

 highest importance. On him depend the riches 

 and prosperity of all, and he is treated with the 

 greatest deference. 



It will be necessary now to explain something of 

 the causes and conduct of military operations in the 

 desert. 



The wars of the Bedouins are neither bloody nor 

 obstinate, though peace may not be formally made 

 for many years. The Anazeh and Shammar hold 

 themselves, however, to be natural enemies ; and no 

 peace is supposed j)c)ssible between them. There 

 may, indeed, be periods of truce, but these last only 

 so long as the adventurous spirits on either side 

 choose to remain quiet, and do not hinder ghazus 

 and marauding parties being sent across the border. 

 Occasionally individual Sheykhs may come to terms ; 

 and it is reported only this summer that Faris 

 Sheykh of the northern Shammar, being pressed by 

 superior forces under his brother's command, has 

 made an alliance with Jedaan, Akid of the Sebaa ; 

 but if true, this is an unexampled event. 



The wars which break out between different 

 sections of the Anazeh are more transitory. These 

 are usually commenced at the instigation of the 

 Turks, whose motto, "divide and rule," leads them 

 to interfere in desert politics. A quarrel is not 



