Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates Vol 2 - The Search For Mecca

128 Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates, [en. xx.
tents were pitching, a frightful wrangling arose
among the servants. The chief disputants were
Ghanim and Ferlian, ayIio, before we could interfere,
had come to blows. IMeshur rushed in and
separated them, pushing Ghanim back, who had
already drawn his knife and was looking " ugly."
On inquiring into the cause, it appeared that Ferhan
Avas tired of havino- the whole work of the cameldriving
thrown on his shoulders, and had been
exasperated at last by Ghanim's riding the chestnut
mare, when we were out of sight, after a gazelle,
in spite of the sore back she has lately had. The
Christian servants of course took part against
Ghanim, but of that we took no notice. Wilfrid,
however, made Ferhdn affirm on oath all that he
had said, and then Ghanim admitted that it was
true, and Wilfrid told him to leave the camp. He
went away in dudgeon, and sat for an hour or so
on the top of the tower,
but then came down and
begg-ed me to intercede for him. Meshur, too,
spoke in his favour, and, as we really like the boy,
AVilfrid consented to forgive him if Ferhan would
declare himself satisfied, and Ghanim would j^romise
there should be no more trouble. Ferhan, who is
the kindest-hearted creature in the world, readily
agreed to this, and Ghanim gave the promise in
the usual form, " ala rdsi"— '"on my head be it,"
so the matter has ended. I am glad of it, as it is
the only quarrel we have had on the journey.
We have been entertaining Meshur with all the