Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/230

Rh the house consisted of only one very lofty room, about eighteen feet square. The roof of heavy beams and tree branches, blackened with smoke, was supported by two wide-spreading arches. The walls were of roughly-hewn blocks of stone, not plastered in any way. Just within the door, a donkey and a yoke of oxen stood. I soon perceived that rather more than one-third of the room was set apart for cattle, where the floor, which was on a level with the street, was of earth, and partly strewed with fodder. We were led up two stone steps on to a dais, twenty-two inches high, where fragments of old mats and carpets were spread, and where three venerable-looking old men—one of whom was quite blind—sat smoking. They rose and welcomed us, and then resumed their pipes in silence. They wore large white turbans and dark robes. Their long beards were bushy and gray. Their feet were naked, for they had left their red shoes by the steps leading on to the dais. The sheikh took down some mats and cushions from a recess in the wall, and arranged them for us on the floor. In the mean time, the mule was led in and unladen, and our two horses were unsaddled and lodged in the lower part of the room! The sheikh asked us to allow his oxen to remain there, as it was likely to be a wet night. My brother consented, but desired that no others should be brought in, and that shelter should be found elsewhere for the horses of our servants and attendants. Nearly in the middle of the raised floor, the large fire made of piled-up wood and thorns, and resinous evergreen shrubs, was burning briskly. The deep troughs, or mangers, about three feet by one, were hollowed out of the broad stone coping at the edge of the dais. Mohammed, our groom, filled these troughs with barley, and our tired animals enjoyed their evening meal.

While our supper was in course of preparation, the sheikh, at my request, took me to see his wives. He led me out into the darkness. A little lantern, which he carried, partially lighted the muddy streets, and was reflected