Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-08-27

only been enabled to visit the principal
cities and towns of these historically
Interesting countries of which | have
written, but l have had occasion TO
study the habits and customs of the
wild Bedouin tribes that live their un-
settled lives in these valleys and along
these mountain slopes. On the west
ern side of the Jordan river there are
many OF these rowing bodies of men,
women and children. divided into diff
ferent family tribes, but on the east
ern side of the river there are only
few tribes, much larger than the
others and very much wilder. Each
tribe has sheik, or prince, who is
final authority on all questions. and
often has the power of life and death.
This office is hereditary, as a rule.
When an election is necessary it is
done by vocal declaration, and must
in all cases be unanimous. and mus.
be Endorsed by the government at Con-
stantfnOple. The head of each tribe is
legally required to pay to the sultan
one Turkish pound (nearly So for each
man who is able to go to war, which
amount. paid yearly, ribs these men
from military duty under the govern
ment. Certain districts of country are
allowed these tribes, where their tents
and herds are usually found, but fire.
quently they roam in other parts of
the land, carrying on their Independent
raids until they are driven into their
own regions by Turkish guns. Their
tents are generally made of the hair
OF goats, ingeniously woven, and their
food consists nearly altogether OF bread
made into thin waters. looking very
much like sheets of sandpaper, butter
made from the goat and buffalo COW
and fish, which abound in all tho
streams. The Bedouins are natural
born robbers, and 1t is always unsafe
for any one to pass through their
country unguarded. A few months ago
a party was visiting the Jordan and
the Dead Sea with the usual guard
but four of the number separated from
the others, and in less than two hours
they were seized, robbed of their
horses. money and clothing. A most
P''A"cAC oSI tACy WCIS, dlll lOIu WHEN
they reached their tents after night.
Rolla Floyd. who is the only American
dragoman in Palestine and Syria, en-
tertained me for several days by re-
cital OF some of his experiences dur
ing 80 years stay in the country
Not long since, while accompanying a
number OF ladies and gentlemen
fhrnnOh ho to
hood of ancient Shechem, a noise was
heard in the hills near by, and on turn
ing he found they were being sur
rounded by forty or fifty Bedouins
headed by their sheik. or course there
was great terror among the party, and
for while Mr.. Floyd was stricken
with fear. But fortunate thought &C.
! Cured to the dragoman. It is a custom
among these wild tribes to befriend aIy
one who Is in trouble il he reaches the
sheik. and. Selling his belt. exclaims:
Il am your guest" While demands
were being made upon Mr.. Floyd and
| those under his protection and the
| robbers were In the act Of carrying
out their desires. he rushed forward
and taking strong grip upon the bel,
OF the sheik. exclaimed in Arabic:
These are all your guests" This act
ed like magic. The robbery was order
cd on. the sheik drew his sword. and
IN pompous manner announced to his
men that the party was under his pro-
lection and guidance, and, leading the
way, he guided them for hours through
the desert. When l was suddenly an
preached by band of these barbara
ans at 10 o'clock at night, in the wild
country east OF the Jordan, by the
moonlight, l saw there was no belt to
seize. AS all Of them were clothed
In single and unadorned garments, I
resorted to another device, which
proved just as effective, though not so
dignified, and which put me quite a
distance from them in a very short
time. Mr.. Carey. whose lifelong resi-
dence in Palestine and Syria furnishes
him with fund of information on this
subject that is possessed by few, gave
me an account Of a personal episode
with the BedOuins which illustrates
their exceeding kindheartedness after
they have robbed you of everything
that they can lay their hands on.
Mr.. Carey left his home In Nablous
on a missionary tour among the noun
tains once owned by the tribe Of Reub-
en-, east Of the Jordan river After
crossing the stream he had not gone
many miles when he was surrounded
by score Of these men. who lifting
him of his beast. stripped him of his
clothing, and, while he sat on a cool
rock near by and watched the per-
Torrance. they examined carefully all
Of the garments. ripping open the lin
ings Of his coat. and after they had
taken everything. even his pocket
knife. they tossed him his clothing, and
politely informed him that he could go
his way. go.
| AZ 1t was now late in the evening,
he told them that he could not con-
tinue his journey after dark without