The Days of Mohammed | Page 4

a circle, as the tents of the Bedouins usually are. Camp-fires studded
the valley with glints of red; and the barking of dogs and shouts of men
arose on the night air above the hoarse moanings of the camels. Yusuf
was indeed glad to see evidences of Arab civilization, and to look
forward to the prospect of a good supper and a friendly bed.

The return of the party was now noticed by the men of the encampment.
A group of horsemen, also armed with long spears tufted with ostrich
feathers, left the tents and came riding swiftly and gracefully towards
their returning companions.
An explanation of Yusuf's sorrowful plight was given, and he was
conducted to the tent of the Sheikh, which was marked by being larger
than the rest, and situated in the center of the circle, with a spear placed
upright in the ground before the door.
The Sheikh himself received the stranger at the door of his tent. He was
a middle-aged man, of tall and commanding appearance, though the
scowl habitual to the Bedouins by reason of their constant exposure to
the sun, rested upon his face. He wore a kufiyah, or kerchief, of red and
yellow on his head, the ends falling on his shoulders behind in a
crimson fringe. His hair was black and greased, and his eyes, though
piercing, were not unkindly. His person was thin and muscular, but he
wore gracefully the long abba or outer cloak, white and embroidered,
which opened in front, disclosing an undergarment of figured muslin,
bound by a crimson sash. And there was native grace in every
movement when he came courteously forward and saluted Yusuf with
the "Peace be with you" of the Arabs. He then extended his hand to
help the traveler to dismount, and led him into the tent.
"Friend," he said, "a long journey and a close acquaintance with death
are, methinks, a good preparation for the enjoyment of Bedouin
hospitality, which, we sincerely hope, shall not be lacking in the tents
of Musa. Yet, in truth, it seems to us that thou art a fool-hardy man to
tempt the dangers of El Hejaz single-handed."
"So it has proved," returned the priest; "but a Persian, no more than an
Arab, will draw back at the first scent of danger. Yet I deplore these
delays, which but hinder me on my way. I had hoped long ere this to be
at the end of my journey."
"We will hear all this later," returned the Bedouin with quiet dignity;
"for the present, suffice it to keep quiet and let us wash this blood from
your hair. Hither, Aswan! Bring warm water, knave, and let the traveler

know that the Arab's heart is warm too. Now, friend-stranger, rest upon
these cushions, and talk later, if it please you."
With little enough reluctance, Yusuf lay down upon the pile of rugs and
cushions, and, while the attendants bathed his brow, looked somewhat
curiously about him.
[Illustration: He stood with upraised arms, gazing into the depths of the
sky.--See page 2.]
By the light of a dim lamp and a torch or two, he could see that the tent
was divided into two parts, as are all Bedouin tents, by a central curtain.
This curtain was occasionally twitched aside far enough to reveal a pair
of black eyes, and, from the softness of the voices which sounded from
time to time behind the folds, he surmised correctly that this apartment
belonged to the chief's women.
Several men entered the tent, all swarthy, lithe and sinewy, with the
scowling faces and even, white teeth characteristic of the typical Arab.
They gesticulated constantly as they talked; but Yusuf, though
thoroughly familiar with the Arabic language, paid little attention to the
conversation, giving himself up to what seemed to him, after his
adventures, perfect rest.
Presently the chief's wife entered. She was unveiled, and her features
were distinctly Hebrew; for Lois, wife of the Bedouin Musa, had been
born a Jewess. She was dressed in a flowing robe of black confined by
a crimson girdle. Strings of coins and of blue opaque beads hung upon
her breast and were wound about her ankles, and she wore a black
head-dress also profusely decorated with beads and bangles of silver.
On a platter she carried some cakes, still smoking hot. These she placed
on a low, circular table of copper. A wooden platter of boiled mutton
was next added, along with a caldron filled with wheat boiled in
camel's milk, and some cups of coffee.
Yusuf was placed at the table, and Musa, after sipping a little coffee,
handed the cup to him; the chief then picked out the most savory bits of

mutton, and, according to Arabian etiquette, handed them to his guest.
Several