A CRUSADE IN THE EAST. 
women up and keeping guard over them. They would soon 
mutiny against that. Though they are free as air, many of 
them consider that they are barbarously limited in power, 
even now. It is nothing uncommon for them to hold conven¬ 
tions, for the purpose of denouncing the male sex, and assert¬ 
ing their right to seats in our National Legislature. Some of 
them even aspire to the Presidency. For all I know, there 
may he a female candidate nominated for that high office at 
this very moment.” 
Yusef.— “ Don’t you whip ’em, sir ? Don’t you lock ’em 
up, and give ’em the bastinado ?” 
General (indignantly).—“ The bastinado, forsooth! I’d 
like to see such a thing as that tried in our country. Why, 
we have ladies who would cowhide a man if they knew he 
entertained such a thought; and we have newspaper editors 
who compliment ladies for distinguishing themselves in that 
way. No, Yusef; we never use the bastinado. On the con¬ 
trary, there are persons of the male sex, or who assume to be 
of that sex, ever ready to join these spunky ladies in their con¬ 
ventions, and act entirely under their dictation. That such 
men will eventually aspire to petticoats is not at all improb¬ 
able.” 
Yusef (highly excited).—“I’d shoot ’em; by Allah, sir, I’d 
gut ’em ! Miserable dogs ! I’d—no matter !—proceed, sir— 
proceed !” 
General. —“ Tell me, Yusef, in the name of common sense, 
which you know is the grand object of my crusade in this 
benighted region, what do the Arab women cover their faces 
for ? Fain would I probe to the bottom all these strange 
customs, and learn the reason thereof.” 
Yusef. —“ Now, verily, 0 General, hast thou asked me a 
question that it is difficult to answer. It is the custom of the 
country, and, to the best of my belief, has been the custom 
for many centuries past.” 
General. —“ But the custom is absurd, and ought to be 
abandoned at once. Don’t you think so ?” 
Yusef.— “ Again, that question is a poser. I have never 
considered it in the light of an absurd custom, having been 
