BENGAZI. 
313 
laudable expression of it in our guests : but it certainly did appear to 
us somewhat ridiculous to see men, with long beards, w ho had each of 
them two or three wdves, so completely discomfited at the sight of a 
rosy -faced girl. At the same time, w'e must allow that w^e have also our 
prejudices ; and it is probable, that the appearance of a young Arab 
damsel, with her veiled face and naked legs and feet, in the midst of 
a party of Englishmen, might occasion no trifling confusion ; scarcely 
less, perhaps, than that which was occasioned by the display of the 
fair face and neck above mentioned. It was some time before our 
worthy Arab friends recovered from the serious shock which their 
modesty had sustained ; but as modesty (for wEat reason w^e will not 
pretend to determine) is by no means an unconquerable feeling, 
we prevailed upon the blushing Shekhs, when the first impression 
had subsided, to take a second look at the picture ; declaring, that 
there was nothing in so innocent a display at which the most correct 
of true behevers need be shocked. We will not venture to say that 
they were quite of our opinion ; but it is certain that their curiosity 
(at least we suppose it to have been that) very soon got the better 
of their scruples ; and we even think, that some of them might ac- 
tually have been persuaded to trust themselves in those sinful 
regions where a pretty face and figure may be looked at and admired 
without any very serious breach of decorum. As for Shekh Mahom- 
med, he had so far recovered himself as to put the object of his former 
confusion into his pocket, though merely to show it (as he said) to 
his wives ; and was hardy enough to keep it three or four days, before 
he returned it to its owner. 
