The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-31

In month S0iuk found himself nearly
alone. He sent his son Ferbau with few
presents, and with promises Of more sub
stantial gifts in case Of success, TO claim
the countenance and support Of Nejib Pa
sha OF Bagdad, who promised to send strong
military force 10 the assistance Of Ferhau,
to enable him 10 enforce obedience among
the Arabs. The measures taken by Neiib
had the effect of bringing back part Of the
tribe to Sofuk, who now proposed to Nejris
that they should meet at his tents, forget
their differences, and share equally the
Sheikhship Of the Shammar. Nejris would
not accept the invitation: he feared the
treachery Of man who had already forfeit
ed his god name as an Arab. Sofuk pre-
vailed upon his son to visit his rival, as he
hoped through his means to induce Nejris
to accept the terms he had offered, and TO
come to his encampment. Ferhau refused,
and was only persuaded to undertake the
mission after his father had pledged himself
by solemn oath to respect the laws Of hos
pitality. He rode to the tents Of Neiris,
who received him with affection, but refused
to trust himself in the power Of Sofuk until
Ferhau had given his own word that no
harm should befall him. His reception
showed at once that ne had been betrayed.
Sofuk rose not to receive his guest, but
becSoned him to place by his side. Fer
hau trembled as he looked on the face Of his
father; but Nejris, undaunted, advanced into
the circle and seated himself where he had
been hidden. Sofuk at once upbraidsd him
as rebel to lis authority. and sought the
excuse of a quarrel: as Nejris answered
boldly, the occasion was not long wanting.
Sofuk sprang to bis feet. and drawing bis
sword. threw himself upon his rival. In
vain Ferhau appealed to his fathers honor,
to the laws Of hospitality, 50 sacred to the
Arab; in vain he entreated him not to dis
grace his son by shedding the blood Of one
whom he had brought to his tents. Neiris
sought protection Of the uncle OF Sofuk;
but he was one Of the most trsacherous and
bloodthirsty Of the ShammaIs. Upon this
mans knee was the head Of the unfortunate
Sheikh held down, whilst Sofuk slew him
as he would have slain sheep. The rage
Of the murderer was now turned against
his son, who stood at the entrance Of the
tent tearing his garments and calling down
curses upon the head Of bis father. The
reeking sword would have been dipped in
his blood, had not those who were present
interfered. The Shammar were amazed
and disguised by this act OF perjury and
rreachery. The hospitality Of an Arab teni
had. been violated, and disgrace had been
brought upon the tribe. Sofuk having at
tempted to justify his treachery, Nejib Pashs
pretended to be satisfied. and agreed to send
out party Of irregular troops to assist him
in enforcing his authority throughout the
desert. The commander or the troops sent
by. Nejib was lbrahim Agha. Sofuk re
ceived him with Joy. and Immediately march
ed against the tribe; but he himself was the
enemy against whom the Agha was SENT
He had scarcely left his ten. when he found
that he had fallen into snare which he hac
more than once set for Others. In a few
hours his head was in the palace Of the Pa
sha Of Baghdad. Such was the end Of ore
whose name will long be remembered in
the wilds Of Arabia; who. from his power
and wealth, enjoyed the title Of king o.
the Desert, and led the great tribe Of Sham
mar from the banks Of the Khahaur to the
ruins of Babylon. The tales Of the Arab
will turn for many years to come on the ex
plots and magni6cence Of Sofuk.-Lay
ards Ninereh.