ctions.
We meet 'em ourselves--religious beggars who're always passing round
the hat for ninepence to make up another shilling. Religion is always
an expensive business, except in Scotland, where you get free seats to
support the Kirk and Government. Isn't that so, Brown?"

"Jist in the Auld Kirk, sir, but I belang tae the Wee Frees."

"Who are the Wee Frees?"

"The Wee Frees were started by a lot o' Hielan-men oot o' a job."

"What were they after?"

"Deevidends, sir."

The Colonel grinned. Continuing, he said, "Now, men, these Mohammedans
are very touchy. You've got to be careful how you treat them. For
example, their headgear is sacred. Don't touch it. And when you get a
little of home-brewed Scotch into you, don't knock their head-dress
off. They'll probably knife you. It isn't a pleasant thing to get a
rusty blade stuck into your kidneys. Bad for the health, I assure you.

"Tell me something else you must not do?" inquired the Colonel,
assuming the role of regimental schoolmaster.

"They hate pigs, sir," said Sandy Brown. "When I wis a stoker on a
ship gaun East I flung a bit o' fried pork at a coolie. He nearly
knocked ma lichts oot wi' a big hammer."

"Yes, pigs are regarded by these fellows as unclean beasts. To offer
them pork is, as Brown says, a great insult, so be careful of that.
Another important point is his carpet. This is sacred. He kneels on
that and offers up his prayers to Allah. When you walk into his house,
don't wipe your feet and spit on it. Give him a chance to remove it.
Can anyone tell me what those buildings in Cairo are with the big domes
on them?"

"Harems," piped Bill.

"Chapels," said Doolan.

"No, they are called mosques, or temples. Watch what you do there.
Mohammedans always take off their shoes before entering. Inside is
holy ground. If you go into them you must put a pair of shoes over
your boots. These are kept for the purpose. Of course, don't walk
away with the shoes, or there will be trouble. I have, also, a list
here of other things regarded as sacred either in the town or country.

"Trees with rags tied to them.

"Tombs.

"Graveyards.

"Deserted mosques.

"Stones with inscriptions on them.

"Fountains, and

"Isolated clumps of trees on hill tops.

"Be careful, now, of all these things. They look nothing to you, but
they are very important to them. You see, we are all Christians--or
supposed to be--and a Christian is regarded