s no fear of wild beasts, are pitched in a straight
line; but where lions or other ferocious animals are found, the
tents are disposed in a circular form; and thorny bushes are placed
round the douar, to prevent the visits of these unwelcome guests.
The Arabs are the agriculturists of the country, and are for the
most part emigrations from the original stock in Sahara. These
people have preserved from time immemorial the practice of open and
341 unrestrained hospitality. Their prophet confirmed these
propensities; and hospitality has been ever since, the predominant
virtue of the Arab. Accordingly, Muhamedans are entitled, through
their various journeys, to be entertained three days wherever they
sojourn. A traveller, therefore, when he chooses to rest from the
fatigue of his journey, goes to one of these douars and exclaims
(_Deef Allah_) "the guests of God." The sheik then comes forth from
his tent to receive him or them: (_Kheyma Deaf_) the travellers' or
guests' tent is appropriated to the stranger; food is brought to
him, agreeably to his rank in life, but always simple, good, and
wholesome. Here he may remain, if he chooses, for three days,
without being considered an intruder, and free of all expense
whatsoever. If he wishes to exceed the three days allowed by the
Muhamedan law, he must prove his poverty; which being done, he may
be entertained for a further period of time: but this latter is
quite optional; no man is compelled to entertain and provide food
for strangers and travellers, without remuneration, above three
days.

This hospitality extends not generally to all mankind, but to
Muhamedans only. A Christian or a Jew would be expected to pay a
trifle for his entertainment; although, in travelling through the
province of Suse, the Arabs have absolutely refused to take any
remuneration from me; but, that is not generally the case, nor
342 ought such conduct to be expected: in the instances
before-mentioned, these people considered themselves so much
benefited by the opening of the port of Santa Cruz, that they
thought they could not do enough for me. I was, therefore, every
where received in that province with the most cordial marks of
disinterested hospitality.

The laws of hospitality are sacred and inviolable. This I will
elucid