DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12665#0135
AMUSING RETROSPECT.
119
of the human character, that his spirit, instead of
sinking and quailing as it would once have done
under difficulties and dangers incomparably less,
rises with the occasion; and as he draws his sash
or tightens his sword belt, he stretches himself to
his full length, and is prepared and ready for any
emergency that may befall him. Indeed, now that
I have returned to the peaceful occupations of
civilized life, I often look back with a species of
mirthful feeling upon my journey in the desert, as
a strange and amusing episode in my life ; and,
when laying my head on my quiet pillow, I can
hardly believe that, but a few months ago, I never
slept without first placing my pistols carefully by
my side, and never woke without putting forth my
hand to ascertain that they were near and ready
for instant use.
I had scarcely mounted, the next morning, before
one of the men came up to me, and telling me that
he intended to return home, asked for his buck-
sheesh. I looked at the sheik, who was still sitting
on the ground, enjoying a last sip of coffee, and ap-
parently taking no notice of us, and it immediately
occurred to me that this was another scheme of his,
to find out how much I intended to give. The idea
had no sooner occurred to me than I determined to
sustain the tone I had assumed the night before ;
and I therefore told the fellow that I should not
pay any one a piaster until I arrived at Hebron.
This occasioned a great clamour; the sheik still
remained silent, but all the others took up the mat-
119
of the human character, that his spirit, instead of
sinking and quailing as it would once have done
under difficulties and dangers incomparably less,
rises with the occasion; and as he draws his sash
or tightens his sword belt, he stretches himself to
his full length, and is prepared and ready for any
emergency that may befall him. Indeed, now that
I have returned to the peaceful occupations of
civilized life, I often look back with a species of
mirthful feeling upon my journey in the desert, as
a strange and amusing episode in my life ; and,
when laying my head on my quiet pillow, I can
hardly believe that, but a few months ago, I never
slept without first placing my pistols carefully by
my side, and never woke without putting forth my
hand to ascertain that they were near and ready
for instant use.
I had scarcely mounted, the next morning, before
one of the men came up to me, and telling me that
he intended to return home, asked for his buck-
sheesh. I looked at the sheik, who was still sitting
on the ground, enjoying a last sip of coffee, and ap-
parently taking no notice of us, and it immediately
occurred to me that this was another scheme of his,
to find out how much I intended to give. The idea
had no sooner occurred to me than I determined to
sustain the tone I had assumed the night before ;
and I therefore told the fellow that I should not
pay any one a piaster until I arrived at Hebron.
This occasioned a great clamour; the sheik still
remained silent, but all the others took up the mat-