Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

218 THE BEDOUIN AND

"Six Mussulmauns from India were travel-
ling on foot in Arabia; they assumed the title
of pilgrim mendicants. On a certain day, they
drew nigh to the tent of a Bedouin Arab, who
went out to meet them, and entering into con-
versation, soon discovered by their talk that
they were poor pilgrims from India, who de-
pended on casual bounties from men of their
faith for their daily meal. The Bedouin, though
a robber, had respect for the commands of his
religion; and with that respect he boasted a
due share of hospitable feeling towards all who
were of his own faith; he accordingly told
them they were welcome to his home, and the
best meal he could provide for them, which
offers they very gladly accepted, and followed
him to the tent.

" The Arab desired his wife to take water to
his guests and wash their feet after the fatigue
of their day's march, and told her in secret to
divert their attention whilst he went out in
search of plunder, that the hospitality of an
Arab might be shown to the strangers. Then
mounting his fleet-camel, he was quickly out of