256 ROAD, TRACK, AND STABLE. 
as they commend themselves to the popular judg- 
ment. The sheikh is an agent rather than a ruler. 
All matters of real importance are decided by vote. 
The sheikh leads the tribe to new camping-grounds, 
settles small disputes, transacts political business, 
entertains strangers, and .keeps open house at all 
hours of the day and night. This last is perhaps his 
chief function. The humblest shepherd addresses the 
sheikh by his Christian name, and néither in dress 
nor in conduct does he affect any superiority. More- 
over, the possession of wealth will not procure a man 
distinction or respect among the Bedouins, any more 
than the possession of office; and this is remarkable, 
because the Bedouins love money to the point of 
avarice. 
But to high birth the Arab, democrat though he be, 
renders homage most sincere. There are among the 
Bedouins certain families of traditional good breed- 
ing. For such families a respect almost reverential is 
shown ; and it is from their members that the sheikhs 
are usually chosen. Nor is this high value errone- 
ously attached to noble blood. Good breeding and 
good birth are nearly always found together in the 
desert, and the sheikhs are commonly distinguished 
by the quiet elegance and dignity of their manners. 
If a sheikh be deficient in this regard, he is almost 
invariably a man of inferior origin, raised to com- 
mand by force of his own talents and energy. 
The respect which the Bedouins have for high 
birth in their horses is, if possible, even greater, 
becoming absolutely fanatical. Lady Anne Blunt} 
l Mr. Wilfrid Blunt and his wife, Lady Anne Blunt, made two 
journeys to the desert, and their observations are recorded in two 
