Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/269

Rh Philosophizing a little, as I am apt to do, on my varied experiences "as I walk through the wilderness of this world," I find that this business of robbing, as practised by the Bedaween, is not from the love of violence for its own sake, nor the act of specially wicked natures, as might be similar crimes committed in civilized society, but is grounded in a deep philosophy. Every man, civilized or savage, has a theory of life, written or unwritten, and the theory of the Bedawee is that no man has a right to property which he is bound to respect. It may be best not to press his prior claim; it may be prudent to keep out of the reach of the law; but if a good opportunity presents itself, he is restrained by no conscientious scruple. Might makes right, and he

 Follows the good old plan, That he should take who has the power, And he should keep who can.

The Arab makes a fine distinction between stealing and robbing. He is not a thief, and you cannot offer him a greater insult than by making such a suggestion. If you were to fling such a taunt in the face of a proud sheikh, he would very likely answer you with the point of his spear. A thief is one who creeps behind your back, or into your tent, and rifles your pockets — a practice to which the low, base-born Fellah might stoop, but which the proud Bedawee would scorn. He is a lofty, high-minded robber, who meets you on the desert face to face, and if he attacks you, gives you the opportunity to defend yourself, and if he despoils you, it is by a right which is recognized in all nations, the right of the strongest. He takes your goods, but he takes them in open and honorable battle.

Of course, we might say that our knight of the road who met us this morning, took us at a disadvantage,