'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎697] (796/905)

CHAP. XXV.] MANNER OF MAKING WAR.
697
to another, calling on the people to recruit, and assemble at
an appointed place. A brief message of war and defiance is
at the same time sent to the intended enemy, and the latter
generally meets it in the same tone and spirit. But in the Preliminaries
unusual event of a pacific answer being returned, preliminaries of peace '
are, after long discussions, settled, and generally a marriage
follows. This is called hasnat, and, on such occasions, each
chief kisses the blade of his adversary's sabre; after which,
seven stones are put into a hole made in the ground with a
lance, as a token that the hitherto hostile parties have buried
their discord for ever.
The tactics of war among the Arabs consist only of Attacks made
manoeuvres to surprise, and, if possible, disperse the enemy, h7 8urprise '
With the exception of the Shammar tribe, however, all
consider an attack by surprise as fair only when made during
daylight: the excursions are predatory, being directed upon
some weak point to carry off part or all of the flocks as booty,
which is shared with those who are left to guard the camp.
On the other hand, the friends of those who have suffered
never fail to contribute towards the reparation of the loss. 1
The warriors being mounted on horses or light camels, the
movements are made with rapidity; and consequently the
most vigilant circumspection is necessary on the part of the
menaced tribe to avert the danger. In addition to the
ordinary precautions, four scouts are sent out occasionally, in
different directions, who, applying their ears close to the
ground, are able to distinguish the approach of a body of men
at a considerable distance. In these forays the capture of a
mare is considered as a great achievement, and, when these
animals are surrendered in battle, the lives of the owners are
spared agreeably to Arab custom; but prisoners of war are Treatment of
generally stripped of their clothes, put in irons, and other- P r,soners '
wise harshly used, till an exorbitant price is paid for their
ransom; this is also the fate of a whole tribe, when it falls
into the power of one which is stronger.
The Arab is distinguished by an overweening pride of birth,
and an extreme sensibility to injuries ; he is, moreover, cruel,
1 Burckliardt's Bedawin and Wahhdbi, p. 180.