CHAP. I. 
JOURNEY IN THE MOUNTAINS. 
27 
broth, seasoned with plenty of red pepper, was poured scalding over 
the bazeen, and every one fell to work with extraordinary activity. 
It is a point of great politeness with the Arabs to tear the meat 
for a stranger, as well as to squeeze up the bazeen with the sauce 
for him ; and as this is sometimes done Mdth rather unsavoury 
fingers, hunger becomes an absolute requisite to induce a novice 
to touch an Arab meal. 
Our tent was in the evening filled by visitors, who squatted 
down, and were much delighted with what few wonders we had to 
exhibit to tliem. The principal of these M^as a loadstone, which 
drew a penknife out of its case, and which was consequently a 
subject of much speculation and whispering. 
The Sheikh, who really appeared a superior kind of man, was 
all attention and kindness ; but whether from fear of the Bashaw's 
Chowse, or a real wish to be of service to us, I know not. I rather 
suspect the former motive, since dread of their masters, and love of 
presents, operate equally on the mind of Arabs. ^\^e had for our 
supper a kind of paste called Hatria, which resembles macaroni, 
and is considered a dish of honour. 
In the evening we were joined by a fine, bold, soldier-looking 
man, who was on a visit, and who was Sheikh of Battus, (a moun- 
tain, mentioned in a former page), inhabited during a few months 
in the year by shepherds, and those who go there to gather in 
their harvest. This person and myself became great friends, and 
from our conversation being chiefly in pantomime, we afforded 
no little amusement to the rest of the party. He invited us to go 
and hunt on his mountain, promising me a truly Arab present, 
viz. a young wolf and fox. He told us that a thousand years 
ago the Christians established themselves on his mountain, but 
were unable to remain there more than forty days ; an evident 
proof of their inferiority to his tribe, which was commanded by 
E 2 
