SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS. 371 



rally throughout the desert; and affords another 

 instance of those peculiar ties, domestic as well as 

 political, by which a fierce and warlike community 

 are held together and protected amidst the lawless 

 ravages occasioned by their own dissensions. 



That the Arabs are brave, and capableof displaying 

 exalted courage, was confirmed by numerous exploits 

 in the Turkish campaign. Examples might easily be 

 adduced of the most heroic personal valour. The 

 Wahabee soldiers fought with desperation, encou- 

 raged by the songs of the female warriors. It was 

 the custom for the favourite wife of the sheik, on 

 the day of battle, to ride in front on a swift drome- 

 dary splendidly caparisoned ; and on occasions of 

 extreme importance she had her legs tied under the 

 belly of the animal, a signal to the troops that they 

 must either conquer or perish by her side. She 

 formed the rallying-point when the combat was at 

 the hottest, and to kill or take her captive was reck- 

 oned the proudest achievement of the enemy. When 

 an Arab is hotly pursued, he may save his life by 

 throwing himself from his steed and begging for 

 mercy ; but he does it at the expense of his honour, 

 and forfeits his mare and his clothes. If he refuses 

 to yield after repeatedly hearing the cry of ' ' Howel ! 

 howell" (Get down!) the pursuer instantly stabs him 

 with his lance. Some tribes use battle-banners or- 

 namented with ostrich-feathers ; but these are never 

 displayed except in important actions ; and their 

 loss is regarded as a signal of defeat. All Bedouin 

 tribes without exception have their agyd, who acts 

 as commander-in-chief ; for it is a remarkable cir- 

 cumstance in the policy of the desert, that, during 

 a campaign in actual warfare, the authority of the 

 sheik is completely set aside, and the soldiers are 



