34 THE SECRET OF SAHARA: KUFARA 



wanted only one to be photographed in and to show 

 my friends in England. We finally compromised on 

 two, one of wliich arrived that evening, an oddly shaped 

 pair of trousers, very narrow at the ankle, made of white 

 cahco spotted with green leaves, and a dress like a 

 voluminous chemise of dark red cotton with a blue 

 pattern. We were told that the camels were ready but 

 that the ekhwan was already regretting his moment of 

 enthusiasm. "Will he be ready to start to-morrow at 

 midnight r' 'Tnshallah!" was all the answer we got. 

 Our plan was so simple, but it depended on two nights' 

 secrecy and secrecy is impossible among Arabs! 



However, we pretended not to worry. "El ^Maktub 

 maktubl" we said, but I caught Hassanein anxiously 

 opening the Koran to see whether a verse chosen at 

 random would prove a good omen. He was dehghted 

 because the first one he saw read: ''Xasrun ?nin Allahi 

 ti-a fathan garih" ("Victor^- and an opening out from 

 Allah are near"). I was not very much more composed 

 myself, for on repeating the long formal prayers that 

 afternoon I realised from my companion's horrified face 

 that I was ascribing unto Allah salutations, prayers and 

 — physics! (Tahiat instead of ta-hi-hat.) 



Sayed Rida took us for a drive in his car in the 

 afternoon. There are no roads or even tracks beyond 

 Jedabia, but the sand is hard and smooth. The Sayed 

 thought it would be a good thing to show himself openly 

 with us, and indeed, our fame increased after that drive. 

 ^^"hen we returned the whole of our household had 

 attired itself in clean white garments and there was 

 an awed moment while they all reverently kissed the 

 Senussi's hand. They dared not approach very close to 

 do it, lest their garments touch their holy master, but 

 it was wonderful to see the worship and homage they 

 X^ut into the act. They were chattels in the hand of the 



