SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS. 369 



stranger be seen coming from afar towards the camp, 

 he is reckoned the guest of the first person that de- 

 scries him ; and for this honour there is often a gene- 

 rous rivalry which leads toserious altercations. When 

 he alights,, the friendly carpet and the ready meal are 

 spread for him. So long as he remains his life and pro- 

 perty are perfectly secure; and should a robbery occur, 

 the host, if he possess the means, will indemnify him 

 for whatever loss he may sustain while under his pro- 

 tection. His person is sacred, and he may trust the 

 fidelity of his entertainer the moment he has eaten 

 bread and salt under his roof. An Arab considers 

 no emergency so urgent or embarrassing as to palliate 

 the neglect, much less the violation, of that social 

 virtue. He has been heard to declare, that if his 

 enemy should present himself at the door of his tent 

 carrying the head of his own son it would not ex- 

 clude him from a hospitable reception. 



These generous dispositions have been subjected 

 to certain regulations ; and it cannot be denied that 

 in some instances they proceed less from goodness 

 of heart than from vanity or the fear of reproach ; for 

 the greatest insult that can be offered to a Bedouin 

 is to tell him that he does not treat his guests well. 

 The hours of hospitality are numbered, three days 

 and eight hours are the term, after which a stranger 

 ceases to be a ward, and becomes a simple visiter. 

 He is not dismissed ; but if he prolong his stay he is 

 expected to assist in the domestic business of the 

 tent, in fetching water, milking the camel, or feed- 

 ing the horse. Should he decline these menial of- 

 fices he may still remain, but he will be censured 

 for ingratitude ; or he may go to another tent, where 

 he will receive a fresh welcome ; and if he has a dis- 

 tant journey to perform, he may, by changing his 



