428 THE HOLY LAND. 
CHAP. The scene which ensued upon our arrival at 
Bethoor was highly interesting. We found the 
Arabs in great number, squabbling, and seizing 
every thing they could lay their hands upon. 
We were not allowed even to pitch our tent, 
until the result of a general council among them 
had taken place. Presently the Sheik of Bethoor 
made his appearance, and a conversation began 
between him and the Arab who had under- 
taken to escort us through his territory. Then 
they all formed a circle, seated upon the 
ground, in the open air ; the Sheik being in the 
centre, with an iron mace or sceptre in his hand, 
about three feet in length, with a ball at the 
upper extremity so longitudinally grooved as to 
exhibit edges on every side. This regal badge, 
evidently a weapon of offence, thus borne as a 
symbol of power in time of peace, only proves, 
that among the wildest Arabs, as among the 
most enlightened nations, the ensigns of dignity 
have been originally instruments of terror. The 
consultation lasted for some time : during this, 
we observed our Arab as a very principal 
speaker, addressing the conclave with great 
warmth, and apparently remonstrating against 
propositions that were made. When it ended, 
we found that if we had better understood 
what was going on, we should have been more 
