Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/392

338 conduct on the part of the Arabs determined me to leave without delay, and I communicated my intentions to Sufoog. He, however, would not hear of our departure, and told us decidedly that we should not go. I afterwards learned that being at enmity with some of the neighbouring tribes, he wished to detain us for his own security, and had accordingly despatched messengers far and wide to spread the intelligence that a Frank of great consequence had been sent to him on a mission from the government. What could we do? we were now in his hands, and were obliged to submit with the best grace possible.

Early in the morning we observed that the whole camp was in motion, and on inquiring the cause were told that they intended to seek a better site on the eastern bank of the Jullâb. This was a mere excuse, for I afterwards found, that fearing an attack from a hostile tribe, they deemed it more secure to have the river between them and their enemies. The striking of the tents, the lading of the camels, the bustle of collecting together all the cattle dispersed in the vicinity, made up a lively scene. All being now ready the troop began to move, the men mounted on their horses, some of the women walking, whilst others higher in rank rode on camels, their children's heads peering out of the saddle-bags on either side. These little urchins seemed quite at their ease, clapped their hands, and screamed with delight, as the caravan moved forward. One, a girl of about nine years old, begged her father to allow her to ride; the barbarian felled her to the ground with a blow of his fist, whilst Sufoog looked on and commended this act of brutality. On expostulating with him he appeared surprised at the interest which I took in the child, and supposing that I had mistaken the sex said naively, "Why! she is a girl, not a boy;" as though this circumstance was more than sufficient to sanction such inhumanity.

We crossed the Jullâb, here nothing more than a muddy stream three feet wide, and in less than an hour all the tents were pitched, and everything had resumed its former order. Our breakfast, consisting of butter, honey, and cream, was now sent to us, after partaking of which I again repaired to the council tent, and took my seat by the side of the Sheikh. Sufoog appeared more reserved than ever, a deep gloom had