equal reputation with that belonging to Giabal, and that a Bedouin of
another tribe, named Daher, was almost mad with longing to possess her.
Having in vain offered all his camels and his riches, he determined to
stain his face with the juice of an herb, to clothe himself in rags, to
tie up his neck and legs like a lame beggar, and, thus equipped, to
wait for Nabee, the owner of the mare, in a road by which he knew he
must pass. When he drew near, he said to him in a feeble voice: “I am
a poor stranger: for three days I have been unable to stir from this
to get food: help me, and God will reward you.” The Bedouin offered to
take him on his horse, and carry him home; but the rogue replied: “I am
not able to rise, I have not strength.” The other, full of compassion,
dismounted, brought the mare close, and placed him on her with great
difficulty. As soon as he found himself in the saddle, Daher gave her a
touch with the stirrup, and went off, saying--“It is I, Daher, who have
got her and am carrying her off.”
The owner of the mare called out to him to listen: sure that he could
not be pursued, he returned, and stopped at a short distance, for Nabee
was armed with his lance. He then said to him, “Thou hast my mare;
since it pleases God, I wish thee success: but, I conjure thee, tell no
one how thou hast obtained her.” “Why not?” said Daher. “Because some
one really ill might remain without aid: you would be the cause why no
one would perform an act of charity more, from the fear of being duped
as I have been.” Struck with these words, Daher reflected a moment,
dismounted from the horse and gave her back to her master, and embraced
him. Nabee took him home. They remained together three days, and swore
fraternity.
Sheik Ibrahim was enchanted with these stories, which gave him to
understand the character and the generosity of the Bedouins. The tribe
of Douhi is richer and more rapacious than that of Mehanna; their
horses are finer. We stayed with them a fortnight. Sheik Ibrahim gave
presents to all the chiefs, and sold some articles to the women, to
keep up our character of merchants. We then went to visit the three
tributary sheiks of the Emir Douhi.
Sheik Ibrahim told me that he had no other object in staying among the
Bedouins than that of giving me an opportunity of studying more closely
their language and their customs; that it was necessary for his own
purposes to get to the Drayhy; but that I must avail myself of our
roamings amidst the tribes to take exact notes of their names and their
numbers, which it was most important to him to know.
Their manner of speech is extremely difficult to acquire, even for an
Arab, although in fact it is the same language. I applied myself with
success. I also learned, in the course of our long wanderings, the
names of all the sheiks and the numbers of all the tribes, a thing
which had never been accomplished before: I shall give the list at the
end of my journal.
The numerous tribes are often obliged to divide themselves into
detachments from two hundred to five hundred tents, and to occupy a
large space, in order to procure water and pasturage for their flocks.
We went successively through their encampments, until we could find
means to transport ourselves to the Drayhy, who was at war with the
tribes of the territory of Damascus. We were universally well received.
In one tribe it was a poor widow who showed us hospitality. In order
to regale us, she killed her last sheep and borrowed bread. She
informed us that her husband and her three sons had been killed in the
war against the Wahabees, a formidable tribe in the neighbourhood of
Mecca. Expressing our astonishment that she should rob herself on our
account:--“He that enters the house of the living,” said she, “and does
not eat, it is as though he were visiting the dead.”
One tribe already considerable had been lately formed in the following
manner:--A Bedouin had a very beautiful daughter, whom the chief of his
tribe demanded in marriage; but he would not give her, and in order to
avoid his solicitations he went away furtively with all his family. The
sheik being told of what had happened, some one said: “Serah (he is
gone).” “Serhan[H] (he is a wolf),” replied he; meaning by that, that
he was a savage. From that time the tribe of which this Bedouin became
chief, has been always called the tribe El Serhan (the wolf.) Whenever
the Bedouins are courageous and have good horses, they in a short time
become powerful.
At last we heard of the arrival of the Drayhy in Mesopotamia. At this
period Sheik Ibrahim was obliged to go to Damascus for merchandise
and money, which were both equally wanting. We had made acquaintance
there with a Bedouin of one of the tribes near the Euphrates, which
had preserved a neutrality in the affair of Nasser. This Bedouin,
whose name was Gazens el Hamad, had come with others to Damascus to
sell butter. He engaged to carry our goods on his camels, and take us
to the Drayhy: but alas! we were not destined to reach him so easily.
Scarcely were we come to Corietain, to take back our goods left at the
depot, when we received news of a victory gained by Zaher, the son of
the Drayhy, over Nasser; a victory which gave renewed violence to the
war. All the tribes ranged themselves on one side or the other. That
of Salkeh, our guide’s tribe, had been attacked by the Drayhy, who was
following up his advantages with great inveteracy, and no one dared to
cross the desert. M. Lascaris was in despair. He could neither eat nor
sleep: in short, exasperated to the highest degree at finding himself
stopped in his projects, he even found fault with me. I then said to
him,--“It is now time we should understand one another. If you wish to
get to the Drayhy for the purpose of trading, it is utter madness, and
I decline to follow you. If you have other projects or motives adequate
to the exposure of your life, let me know them, and you shall find me
ready to sacrifice myself to serve you.” “Well then, my dear son!” said
he, “I will trust you: know that this commerce is merely a pretence
to conceal a mission with which I was charged at Paris. These are my
instructions, reduced to ten heads.
1. To set out from Paris to Aleppo.
2. To find a zealous Arab, and to attach him to me as interpreter.
3. To acquire a knowledge of the language.
4. To go to Palmyra.
5. To penetrate amongst the Bedouins.
6. To become acquainted with all the chiefs, and to gain their
friendship.
7. To unite them together in the same cause.
8. To induce them to break off all alliance with the Osmanlis.
9. To get acquainted with the whole desert, the halting-places, and
where water and pasturage are to be found, as far even as the frontiers
of India.
10. To return to Europe, safe and sound, after having accomplished my
mission.”
“And after that?” said I;--but he imposed silence. “Recollect our
conditions,” added he; “I will let you know all by degrees. At present
let it suffice to know that I must reach the Drayhy, even though it
should cost me my life.”
This half-confidence vexed me, and prevented sleep in my turn: to find
difficulties almost insurmountable, and to perceive but very confusedly
the advantages of my devotion, was sufficiently disheartening.
However, I took the resolution of persevering to the end, as I was
so far engaged, and I dwelt only on the means of success. My beard
had sprouted; I was perfectly versed in the language of the Bedouins;
I resolved to go alone and on foot to the Drayhy: it was the only
possible chance to be attempted. I went to seek my friend Wardi, who
had recalled me to life by putting me into his horse’s belly, and
communicated to him my intention. After having endeavoured to divert
me from it, by telling me that the fatigue would be great; that there
would be ten painful nights’ march; that we must hide ourselves by day,
not to be seen on the road; that we should be unable to carry with us
what was strictly necessary: seeing that nothing could make me retract,
he engaged to go with me as guide, in consideration of a large sum of
money. Having told my resolution to M. Lascaris, he also made many
friendly objections on the score of the dangers I should incur; but, in
reality, I perceived that he was well pleased with me.
We settled all our matters; I agreed to write to him by the return of
my guide, after having arrived at the Drayhy; and the night was far
advanced when we threw ourselves on our beds. I was very much agitated;
my sleep evinced it, and I soon woke M. Lascaris by my cries. I dreamt
that being at the top of a steep rock, at the foot of which flowed a
rapid river that I was unable to pass, I had lain down at the brink of
the precipice, and that all at once a tree had taken root in my mouth;
that it grew, and spread its branches like a green tent, but in growing
it tore my throat, and its roots penetrated into my entrails; and I
uttered violent cries. Having related my dream to Sheik Ibrahim, he was
in great wonder at it, and declared that it was an excellent omen, and
prognosticated after many difficulties important results.
It was essential that I should be covered with rags, in order not to
excite suspicion or cupidity if we were discovered on the road. This
was my costume for the journey: a coarse cotton shirt pieced; a dirty
torn gombaz; an old caffié, with a bit of linen, once white, for a
turban; a sheep-skin cloak with half the wool off, and shoes mended
to the weight of four pounds: besides these, a leather belt, from
which hung a knife worth two paras, a steel, a little tobacco in an
old bag, and a pipe. I blackened my eyes, and dirtied my face, and
then presented myself to Sheik Ibrahim to take my leave. On seeing
me, he shed tears:--“May God,” said he, “give you strength enough
to accomplish your generous design! I shall owe every thing to your
perseverance. May the Almighty be with you and preserve you from all
danger! may he blind the wicked, and bring you back that I may reward
you!” I could hardly refrain from tears in my turn. At last, however,
the conversation becoming more cheerful, Sheik Ibrahim said smilingly,
that if I were to go to Paris in this costume, I should get much money
by showing myself.--We supped; and at sunset we departed. I walked
without fatigue till midnight: but then my feet began to swell. My
shoes hurt me, and I took them off; the thorns of the plants the camels
browse on pricked me, and the small stones wounded me. I tried to put
on my shoes; and in continual suffering I walked on till morning. A
little grotto gave us shelter for the day. I wrapped my feet in a piece
of my cloak that I tore off, and slept without having strength to take
any nourishment. I was still asleep when my guide called me to depart:
my feet were much swollen--my heart failed me--I wished to wait till
the following day. My conductor reproached me for my weakness:--“I knew
well enough,” said he, “that you were too delicate for such a journey.
I before told you that it was impossible to stop here: if we pass the
night, we must also pass the next day; our provisions will be consumed,
and we shall die of hunger in the desert. We had better give up our
undertaking while there is yet time.”
These words reanimated me, and we set off. I dragged myself along
with difficulty till near midnight, when we came to a plain, in which
the sand rose and fell in undulations: here we rested ourselves till
day. The first dawn enabled us to perceive at a distance two objects,
which we took for camels. My guide, alarmed, dug a hole in the sand,
to conceal us; we got in up to the neck, leaving only our heads out.
In this painful situation we remained with our eyes fixed on the
supposed camels, when, about noon, Wardi exclaimed, “God be praised!
they are only ostriches.” We got out of our grave with joy, and for
the first time since our departure I ate a little cake and drank a
drop of water. We remained there till night, awaiting the time to move
forward. Being then in the midst of the sands, I suffered less in
walking. We passed the next day in sleeping. We were opposite Palmyra,
to the south. Daybreak, after the fourth night, overtook us at the
bank of a large river called El Rahib, running from south to north;
my guide stripped, and carried me on his back to the other side, and
then returned for his clothes. I wished to rest myself, but he told
me it would not be prudent to stop where the river was fordable. In
fact, we had not proceeded half an hour, when we saw five hundred
well-mounted Bedouins approaching the river, going from the east to
the west. Having found some low bushes, we halted amongst them till
night. The sixth night brought us within some hours of the Euphrates.
The seventh day, the great difficulty was over; and if I had not
suffered so much in my feet, I could have forgotten all my fatigues
at the sight of the sunrise on the banks of that magnificent river.
Some hospitable Bedouins, whose occupation it is to take people over
from one side to the other, took us into their tents, where for the
first time we made a hearty meal. We obtained intelligence respecting
the Drayhy: he was at three days’ distance between Zaite and Zauer.
He had made peace with the Emir Fahed, imposing tribute on him; they
spoke to me of his military talents and his extreme courage, of his
intention to annihilate Mehanna and Nasser, and to return to his desert
near Bassora and Bagdad. These details were just as I was wishing: I
took my resolution immediately. I asked for a guide to take me to the
Drayhy, telling the Bedouins that I was a merchant of Aleppo, having
a correspondent at Bagdad, who owed me twenty-five thousand piastres,
and who had just become bankrupt: that the war between the Bedouins had
intercepted the communications, and I had no other resource than to
risk myself alone, and put myself under the protection of the Drayhy to
get to Bagdad, where all my fortune was at stake. These kind Bedouins
offered vows to Allah that I might recover my money; and Wardi himself
took more interest in my journey, when he understood its importance.
After having passed the day in examining the tribe Beni Tay, we
departed the next day well escorted; and nothing interesting occurred
on our march. We saw the setting sun of the third day gild the five
thousand tents of the Drayhy, which covered the plain as far as the eye
could reach. Surrounded by camels, horses, and flocks, which concealed
the earth, never had I seen such a spectacle of power and wealth.
The emir’s tent in the centre was a hundred and sixty feet long. He
received me very politely, and without any question proposed to me to
sup with him. After supper, he said to me: “Whence do you come, and
whither are you going?” I replied as I had done to the Bedouins of the
Euphrates. “You are welcome, then,” said he; “your arrival will cause a
thousand benedictions. Please God you will succeed; but, according to
our custom, we cannot speak of business till after three days devoted
to hospitality and repose.” I made the customary thanks, and retired.
The next day I despatched Wardi to M. Lascaris.
The Drayhy is a man of fifty, tall, and of a handsome countenance, with
a small beard entirely white; his aspect is stern; he is considered as
the most able of all the chiefs of tribes; he has two sons, Zaer and
Sahdoun: they are married, and dwell in the same tent as himself. His
tribe, called El Dualla, is numerous and very rich. Chance favoured me
wonderfully from the first day of my arrival. The emir was in want of
a secretary; I offered to assist him for the moment, and I soon gained
his confidence by the hints and the information I was able to give
him regarding the tribes I had studied. When I spoke to him of my own
business, he expressed so much regret at seeing me about to depart,
that I feigned to yield to his wishes. He said, “If you will remain
with me, you shall be like my son; all that you say shall be done.”
I availed myself of this confidence, to induce him to pass over the
Euphrates, in order to bring him nearer to Sheik Ibrahim: I suggested
to him all the influence he might gain over the tribes of the country,
by withdrawing them from Nasser: I represented to him all the presents
they would be obliged to offer him; the terror with which he would
inspire the Osmanlis, and the mischief he would do his enemies by
consuming their pasturage. As it was the first time he was quitting the
desert of Bagdad to come into Mesopotamia, my advice and my information
were a great resource to him, and he followed them. The departure was
superb to witness. The horsemen before, on horses of high pedigree;
women on howdahs magnificently draped, and on dromedaries, surrounded
by negress slaves. Men, loaded with provisions, were running throughout
the caravan, calling out: “Who is hungry?” and distributing bread,
dates, &c. Every three hours, a halt was made, to take coffee; and at
night the tents were raised as if by enchantment. We followed the banks
of the Euphrates, whose clear waters gleamed like silver: I myself was
mounted on a mare of pure blood; and the whole journey appeared like a
triumphal march, presenting a strong contrast with my former passage
over the same country, in my rags and with my tortured feet.
On the fourth day, the Emir Zahed met us with a thousand horse. All
sorts of sports ensued on horseback and with lance. At night, the
Drayhy, his sons, and myself, went to sup in the tribe of Zahed.
The day following, we crossed the river, encamped on the Damascus
territory, and kept advancing westward. We then encamped at El Jaffet,
in the pachalik of Aleppo. The report of the arrival of the Drayhy was
quickly spread, and he received from Mehanna a letter beginning with
their respective titles, and continuing thus:
“In the name of God most merciful, health! We have learnt with surprise
that you have passed the Euphrates, and are advancing into the
provinces left us by our fathers. Do you then think that you alone can
devour the pasture of all the birds? Know that we have so many warriors
that we are unable to number them. Besides, we shall be supported by
the valiant Osmanlis, whom nothing can resist: we counsel you to return
by the road by which you came; otherwise all conceivable misfortunes
will befall you, and repentance will come too late.”
On reading this letter, I saw the Drayhy growing pale with anger; his
eyes flashed fire. After a momentary silence, “Katib,” said he, in a
terrible voice, “take your pen, and write to this dog!”
This was the answer:--“I have read your menaces, which with me do not
weigh a grain of mustard. I shall lower your flag, and purify the earth
from you and your renegade of a son, Nasser. As for the territory
you claim, the sword shall decide it. Soon will I set forward to
exterminate you. Prepare yourself. War is declared.”
Then addressing myself to the Drayhy: “I have some advice to give
you,” said I. “You are a stranger here; you know not which party the
tribes of the country will espouse. Mehanna is loved by the Bedouins,
and supported by the Turks; you are about to undertake a war, without
knowing the number of your enemies. If you experience a single defeat,
all will combine against you, and you will not be strong enough to
resist. Send then a message to the neighbouring sheiks to tell them
that you are come to destroy the tents of Melkghem, in order to free
them from the yoke of the Osmanlis; and demand of them to declare
themselves. Thus, being aware of your force, you may compare it
with theirs, and act in consequence.”--“You are truly a man of sage
counsel,” said the Drayhy, delighted with my suggestion. “I am nothing
of myself,” I replied: “it is by the favour of my master, if I know
any thing: it is he who is the man of wisdom and knowledge, and well
skilled in affairs: he alone is capable of giving you advice. You
would be enchanted with him, if you could know him. I am sure that if
you had him with you, and were aided by his sagacity, you would become
chief of all the Bedouins of the desert.” “I will instantly send a
hundred horsemen to bring him,” said the Drayhy, with alacrity. “We are
still too far off,” said I; “the journey would be painful; when we get
nearer to Corietain I will bring him to you.”
I was fearful of some untoward accident to the Sheik Ibrahim; and
wished to be near him, to present him myself. I was so attached to him,
that I could have sacrificed myself a thousand times to do him service.
But to return to our council of war. The Drayhy gave me a list, to
write to ten of the principal sheiks of the tribes. This was his letter:
“I have left my country to come and deliver you from the tyranny of
Nasser, who wishes to become your master by the power of the Turks;
to change your usages, destroy your manners, and subject you to the
Osmanlis. I have declared war against him; tell me frankly if you
are for him or for me; and let those who will aid me come and join
me.--Health!”
The next day, having despatched ten horsemen with these letters, we
advanced into the extensive and beautiful territory of Chaumerie,
thirty hours from Hama. After a short absence, our messengers returned.
The Emir Douhi, and the Sheik Sellame, answered that they should
preserve a neutrality; Sheik Cassem, the kinsman of Mehanna, declared
for him; the remaining seven tribes came and encamped around us, their
sheiks promising the Drayhy to partake his dangers for life or for
death. However, our spies brought intelligence that Mehanna in alarm
had sent Nasser to Hama to obtain assistance from the Turks. The Drayhy
immediately assembled his army, eight thousand strong, six thousand
horse, and a thousand deloulmardoufs,--that is to say, a thousand
camels, each carrying two men armed with matchlocks,--and began to
march on the fourth day; leaving orders for the rest of the tribe
to follow the second day after, in order the more to stimulate the
courage of his warriors in the battle, by the vicinity of their wives
and children. I remained with the latter, and we went to encamp at El
Jamié, one hour from the tribe El Hassnnée, and two days from Hama.
On the fifth day, the Drayhy announced to us a brilliant victory; and
shortly afterwards arrived the camels, sheep, horses and arms, taken
from the enemy. The men, who had been obliged to remain at the tents
in charge of the baggage, went out to meet the conquerors, and demand
their share of the spoil, to which they are entitled; and the army soon
appeared in triumph.
The Drayhy had taken Mehanna rather by surprise, during the absence
of Nasser; but the tribe of Hassnnée having shouted their war-cry,
the combatants proved nearly equal in numbers; the battle lasted till
night. Our warriors lost twenty-two men; but they killed twice as many
of the enemy, and took possession of their flocks. Zaher also took
the mare of Fares, the son of Mehanna, which amongst the Bedouins is
reckoned a glorious exploit.
After his defeat, Mehanna crossed the Orontes at the north of Hama,
and encamped near Homs, to await the Osmanlis and return with them to
take his revenge. In fact, on the fifth day, the shepherds ran crying
that the Turks headed by Nasser were taking possession of the flocks.
Immediately our warriors flew in pursuit, and overtook them, when a
more terrible battle than the first was fought, during which the enemy
drove off a great part of our cattle towards his camp. The advantage
remained with our men, who carried off a considerable spoil from the
Turks; but the loss of our flocks was considerable. We had to regret
the loss of only twelve men, but amongst them was the nephew of the
Drayhy, Ali, whose death was universally lamented. His uncle remained
three days without eating; and swore by Almighty God that he would kill
Nasser, to revenge the death of Ali.