DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4592#0169
MODE OF ENCAMPING. 169
they are pitched in a circle. If the number be con-
siderable, they are extended in a line. In that case,
the sheik's tent is in the centre. When in a circle,
his tent is in the most prominent position. When
wandering in search of water and pasturage, the}"
move in parties slowly over the plain. The armed
men ride foremost, as a reconnoitering guard. The
flocks with their young follow next, and behind some
of the beasts of burthen, loaded with women and chil-
dren, tents, baggage and provisions.
From the constant, suspicious watchfulness of the
Bedoin tribes, several of their senses become exceed-
ingly acute. Their powers of vision and hearing
continually improve in the open air. On their large
plains they will discern an object beyond the reach
of a less practiced eye. But one of their most sin-
gular faculties is that of discerning footsteps of men
and beasts on the sand. A Bedoin will often deter-
mine by footsteps, whether the individual belonged to
his own or some neighboring tribe. He is thus ena-
bled to determine whether he be a friend or an ene-
my. He discerns, from the faintness or depth of the
impression, whether the person carried a load or not;
whether he passed the same day or several days be-
fore. From examining the length of the steps, he
judges whether or not he was fatigued, as in that case
the steps become shorter and more irregular. An
Arab can distinguish the footmarks of his own camels
from those of his neighbors. He can also determine
whether the animal was pasturing, or loaded, or moun-
ted by one or more persons. This sagacity becomqg
extremely useful in the pursuit of fugitives, and
12
they are pitched in a circle. If the number be con-
siderable, they are extended in a line. In that case,
the sheik's tent is in the centre. When in a circle,
his tent is in the most prominent position. When
wandering in search of water and pasturage, the}"
move in parties slowly over the plain. The armed
men ride foremost, as a reconnoitering guard. The
flocks with their young follow next, and behind some
of the beasts of burthen, loaded with women and chil-
dren, tents, baggage and provisions.
From the constant, suspicious watchfulness of the
Bedoin tribes, several of their senses become exceed-
ingly acute. Their powers of vision and hearing
continually improve in the open air. On their large
plains they will discern an object beyond the reach
of a less practiced eye. But one of their most sin-
gular faculties is that of discerning footsteps of men
and beasts on the sand. A Bedoin will often deter-
mine by footsteps, whether the individual belonged to
his own or some neighboring tribe. He is thus ena-
bled to determine whether he be a friend or an ene-
my. He discerns, from the faintness or depth of the
impression, whether the person carried a load or not;
whether he passed the same day or several days be-
fore. From examining the length of the steps, he
judges whether or not he was fatigued, as in that case
the steps become shorter and more irregular. An
Arab can distinguish the footmarks of his own camels
from those of his neighbors. He can also determine
whether the animal was pasturing, or loaded, or moun-
ted by one or more persons. This sagacity becomqg
extremely useful in the pursuit of fugitives, and
12