The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-03-06


Ing camp my reception was most graft
fying--a perfect blending OF respect
ful sollcltude and hospltable welcome.
After kissing my hand. the sheik as
sisted me 10 dlamount bidding mo
welcome, and saying that my visit
brought a blessing on his house, Con-
Quoting me 10 my tent. he added. This
house Is yours. and all Il contains; do
what you will with Il and With as
your servants truly biblical greet
ing. and one which Immediately sug-
gos,ed the days OF Abraham; an illu-
sion heightened when water was
brought. and hands. face. and feet
we're washed before | was left TO rest
on the cushions In the tent. and tho
shelk retired to prepare the evening
meal. Under the Mohammedan code
three days hospitality Is right way
iarers may demand. though In the case
OF accepted friends the royal bounty OF
the host heaps favor after favor upon
the guest. without stint or limitation.
Probably the first distinct impression
I received from the Bedouin was the
close resemblance OF their life 20 that
OF old Testament times. Their loose.
flowing robes added 20 their naturally
tall and imposing appearance. and their
strong. majestic faces. slightly Jewish
In type. together with their gracious
old-world courteslcs. lrrcsistibly sug-
gcstod the patriarchs OF old. Their lives.
thoughts. sayings and occupations re-
main unchanged through all these
centuries. and the incidents and con-
yersations Of my daily intercourse with
them we're Abrahamic In character.
Though nomads. the Arabs are royera
from necessity rather than from
choice. and where fodder and water
are found In sufficient abundance they
form permanent camps, surrounding
their tents with a compound OF durra
stalks. and frequently building ston,
or mud lodges for their guests. When
on the march they are content with
very small tents. easily packed ant
carried. but In their permanent camp
their homes are OF regal proportions
The one occupied covered some w,
thousand square feet. and was abou
eleven feet high In the center. sloplnl
To Eve feet or 80 az the sides tn
tent cloth was. as usual. made OF goat
hair. and party-colored In broa
stripes OF black. green. maroon. blu
and white. while from the seams Dc
pended tassols from which other cloth
are hung TO divide the tent int
separate apartments when occupied b
: a family The furniture Is simpl,
A., Rugs are spread over the sand. and r,
. clinlng cushions scattered about then
!, In the corner Is zecr. or large watel
+. pot. and by Il a cubl yeh. or drinklnl
/. cup. OF brass or copper. Round n
side OF the tent Is a row OF paint,
+, boxes. IN which are packed the hous
! hold goods and chattels when moyln
!. while few quantity wrought lamp
and. half buried In the sand. a larl
sarihern bowl used as a fireplace. COZ
plote the list Very domestic Ia the
habits. everything about them has pc
sonal associations. The tcnt-clo,hs a
10 spun. dyed. and woven by their WONT
i. and children. as also are their saddl
]. cloths and trappings; and these are
d highly priced by them that mon
!. cannot buy the simplest product
y" their wives industry. though IN
=, may give them freely In token
y friendship. Generally married 10 o
/. wife. the nedouin regards her and h
- children with a devotion not gcncl
among orlentals. and believe that {
Arab word waian Is the only n
IL. equivalent In any language for the En-
=. ush word home"