180 



THE BEDOUINS AND THEIR HABITS. 



authentic certificate of birth is always delivered to the purchaser of a 

 " high-bred steed." This certificate is enclosed in a small bag, which 

 also contains a mysterious writing, and suspended to the animal's 

 neck will be an omen of good fortune, it is hoped, to him and his 

 owner. 



The arms of the Bedouins are the curved sword, the yataghan, and 

 the long musket. Pistols are sometimes added, and the lance. They 



BEDOUIN SHEPHERDS AND BEDOUIN NOMADES. 



fight hand to hand, and without any strategical method. They never 

 venture upon night attacks. They seek to surprise the enemy by 

 rapid marches and unexpected diversions, by ensnaring him in 

 ambuscades, and harassing him when he is the strongest in numbers. 

 The most trifling fortification, however, arrests them a wall of brick, 

 a simple ditch, a hedge of the fig-tree, will suffice to protect a village 

 from their depredations. 



