The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-16

lnelT course across inc lTNkltSS Wutle iltto vofh
much exaggerated. OF course. they know their
own district well. and their range may be
wide one. but take them out OF 1t and they are
helpless. An Arab cannot. us can tho South
American Gaucho. make out his bearings by
sun and wind, and keep them day after day till
he compasses tho point intended. On tho con-
trary. an Anazch travels from landmark to
landmark, or these failing, depends wholly on
Information CLEANED from shepherds and when
tho country is unnhabited he Is aghast. On
tho march n tribe takes zigzag route to left
and right, and the only man whom tho Blunts
found capable Of holding straight course was
an old guido Of Shammar race who was almost
blind.
good many current errors receive correc-
ton in this narrative. Thus we learn that the
Bedouns have no great appearance OF muscu-
lar strength. They are fast walkers and fast
runners. and on horseback arc untiring. but as
compared with other races thoY are by no
means eminent for horsemanship. Only few
Of them have really good seats. and they dis
play no skill whatever in outstanding an ami
mails powers. Their only notion OF riding
horse is to push him Mt full gallop with arms
and legs from start TO finish. but they are dex-
ferrous enough in turning and taking advan-
tago Of the ground, though even in this respect
they are greatly eXcelcd by the lasso throwers
Of the pampas. As horse breakers their great
merit Is unwcaried patience. the BedOuin being
never observed to strike or III use his mare.
This kindly treatment. continued through un-
counted generations. has OF course had its ef-
feet on the animals temper. The Arabian
horse wo are told by the writer OF this narra-
tive. is 80 afrectionate and familiar TO be fair
ly troublesome They have no fear OF man
whatsoever. will allow any one to como up TO
aluN. NnlH lau
the head. and are not intmidated by any
lifting up OF hands or sticks. for they do
not even comprehend that you can hurt them.
Our travellers were often amused in the desert
to see the mares come up to their masters and
use them as they would one Of themselves for
rubbing post This extreme gontloness and
fearlessness is unquestonaby inherited. for n
colt born and brought up in the stable is just as
tame. 1t never runs behind its dam for protec-
ton as do English foals. hut comes at once TO
any one who enters the box. What Is still more
noteworthy. pure blooded Arabian mares are
said not to Vince at firearms. though they arc
not at all accustomed TO them. and in England
no railway train or sudden noise gives them the
least alarm. In the opinion Of the author. how
ever. they are moro distinguished for endur-
ance than for speed. As to color. we may add.
that among tho Anazeh. at all events. bay is the
most common. and next nea-bitten gray.
Returning for n moment to the trainers OF
these coveted animals we may point out that
the moral character OF the Bedouin is on the
whole. exceptionally high. Courage. however
though held in high esteem. is not counted es-
sential even in a sheykh. God has not given
me hardihood" they will sometimes say. and
| do not fight" just rs an English hunting
man will admit having lost his nerve. Up to
so, however. the Arab is usually fond Of enter
prise, and will start on marauding expeditions
for glory. quite rs promptly rs for gain. but no
idea of shame is connected with the act Of run
ming away. So too. in ordinary matters. verncty
is not deemed a virtue by the Bedouns. every
man in their opinion having a right to con-
ceal his thought. But in important affairs
the fact affirmed may DO relied on. and It is
worth remark that 10 no question, however
Informal as to the breed Of his mare
will Bedouin return n false answer. although
tho money value Of the animal might be trpled
or Occupied by deception on this head SO
much for the shortcomings in the coda OF
ethics governing the desert. On tho other
hand. the genuine Bedouin is essentially hui
name. and on no occasion takes life needessly.
He feels no delight. like men OF other races. but
rather horror In shedding blood Even Il he
has killed a man in war he rather conceals the
fact than prorlaims II aloud. while murder or
'Ntu AlblAl'lNN - hliHpNN uNhu0Wn among Aue
tribes. With regard 70 honesty the pure
Bedouin stands IN marked contrast TO his halt
breed brethren Of river and frontier towns.
Among these stealing is the rule, and the term
harami Uhieyesl is accepted By them as a sort
! oi compliment But that pilfering Of; which
tho Kurd makes point Of honor. the
Arab OF the plains accounts disgraccful and
acts Of petty larceny are utterly unknown
among the Anazeh and Shammar. Highway
! robbery 1t is true. Is practised. not
however rs an infringement Of private prop
! erty but us an assertion Of public right BY
desert law the act Of passing through the waste
entails forfeiture Of goods 10 its nomad SOW
ereigns, Just rs in ancient times the person and
goods Of aliens found within the Roman from
tier were regularly conflscated. The truth is
that respect for law seems to be one Of the
leading features Of the Bedoun character.
though this must be understood Of their own
customs only. not of Turkish or European codes.
which they despise Justice. indeed substan-
tial justice. is nowhere moro certain OF attain
ment than in the desert The poor man there
never suffers wrong as n poor man, and all
cases are decided according To the strict mean
| ing Of the traditional unwrttcn law. Petty
cases, such as in our country come be-
fore a Justice OF the Peace, are disposed Of
| daily by the Sheykh OF the section or tribe,
| while more important matters are reserved for
the decision Of superior or stranger sheykh.
or else for arbitration 10y three. seven. or twelve
! Jurors. Whit Is most remarkable in these
courts is the absence Of any officer to enforce
tho decisions. Public opinion alone compos
obedience TO the Judgment and the utmost
penalty known to the law is expulsion from tho
tribe.
The Bedouins. as rule. do not exhibit COM
mercal clcverness. and the more esteemed
! tribes despise it. Everywhere. indeed. public
! opinion. though it may recognize the ndyan-
! tages OF wealth. respects most highly the man
VINO is Indifferent 10 them The great sheykhs
for instance are usually liberal Of their gains.
and Paris. the Shammar chief who represents
the highest traditions ofthc past keeps nothing
for himself either in the way Of presents or
! prizes. Nor will any Bedouin take money. cx-
! cept under spccia. circumstances from stran-
! gers living under their tents. As to this the
GROWING virtue OF the desert our travellers
have no deductions to make; yet they speak
! with discrimination. II is perfectly true TINT
the oiler OF food and shelter. which srcms to bo
primary instinct with all Arab tribes. whether
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