CHARACTER OF THE ARABS. 397 is the solace for every misfortune. But this same carelessness to the usual accidents of life extends also to his speech and his dealings -with other men. I will not say that an Arab never speaks truth : on the contrary, he always does, if he happens to remember it, and there is no object to be gained by suppressing it ; but rather than trouble himself to answer correctly a question which requires some thought, he tells you whatever comes uppermost in his mind, though certain to be detected the next minute. He is like a salesman, who, if he does not happen to have the article you want, offers you some • thing else, rather than let you go away empty-handed. In regard to his dealings, what Sir Gardner "Wilkinson says of Egypt, that " nobody parts with money without an effort to defraud," is equally true of Nubia and Soudan. The people do not steal outright ; but they have a thousand ways of doing it in an indirect and civilized manner, and they are perfect masters of all those petty arts of fraud which thrive so greenly in the great commercial cities of Christendom. "With these slight drawbacks, there is much to like in the Arabs, and they are certainly the most patient, assiduous and good-humored people in the world. If they fail in cheating you, they respect you the more, and they are so attentive to you, so ready to take their mood from yours — to laugh when you are cheerful, and be silent when you are grave — so light-hearted in the performance of severe duties, that if you commence your acquaintance by despising, you finish by cordially liking them.

On a journey like that which I was then commencing, it is absolutely necessary to preserve a good understanding with your men and beasts ; otherwise travel will be a task, and a severe one, instead of a recreation. After my men had vainly