376 The Hunting Grounds 



brown or black hair, with blue eyes. They are in 

 general neither reserved nor confined, but at the age 

 of ten or twelve years they are incased in a broad 

 leathern band tightly sewn round the waist, which 

 they wear until marriage. Over a low-cut chemise 

 they wear a long laced jacket with wide trousers, and 

 they heighten their beauty by painting their eye- 

 brows with a preparation of antimony called "soor- 

 mah," and stain the nails of the toes and fingers 

 with henna. Their hair is generally plaited and falls 

 down the back, and a small sheepskin cap, with the 

 upper part embroidered, is commonly worn. 



Their villages consist only of "konaks" or log- 

 huts, plastered with clay inside, and seldom con- 

 taining more than one room. A wooden bench or 

 sedan runs all round, and one part, covered with 

 matting, serves as a bed. The only furniture or gar- 

 niture, are the saddles, arms, and a few brass or 

 copper cooking-utensils. 



The customs of ancient Sparta are in some degree 

 in force amongst them, the youths being brought up 

 in all bodily exercises calculated to increase strength 

 and agility such as riding, running, wrestling, 

 shooting, and they are accustomed to endure hunger 

 and fatigue. To fall in the field is considered an 

 honour, and to kill an enemy a triumph ; stealing is 

 also allowed and encouraged, that is, provided it is 

 not found out, for, if the culprit is detected, he is 



