'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎398] (429/582)

398
CHARACTER OF THE ARABS.
Gathban to the full authority of his own Sheikdom, and, with it,
to the former enmity between the Montefiks and the Chaubs,
which continued with the same force as ever!
Among the Sheiks of the Desert, many similar instances are
recounted, and of the fact of their happening, there can be no
doubt; but in analysing the motives and the feelings of individuals
so conducting themselves towards each other, there is consider
able difficulty in assigning satisfactory explanations to them. A
striking instance was also related to me of the slavish obedience to
one chief, which marked the days of the Sheik-el-Jebal, or Old
Man of the Mountains, as he is called in our histories of the Cru
sades, and which still continues in some degree to be a feature of
the Arab character. This same Sheik Twiney, who after his resto
ration was the greatest enemy to the Wahabee cause, was followed
by his whole tribe with a feeling of attachment and obedience
that united them as one man ; and his name not only held all his
dependents firmly together, but struck terror into the hearts of his
enemies whenever it was mentioned. Sheik Abdallah Ibn Saood,
who was then the Wahabee chief, was desirous of accomplishing the
death of Twiney; and called his slaves around him, to demand from
them a proof of their fidelity to their master. Of these, he is said
to have had about fifty blacks from Soudan, who were always ready
for the most daring enterprises of murder, and seemed to glory in
imbruing their hands in human blood. The assassination of Twi
ney was proposed; and, though immediate death was the certain
consequence of such a task, the execution of it was contended for
among the slaves, with all the ardour of persons seeking the most
honourable distinctions. It was confided to the most favoured
one, and he accordingly set out on his errand. Arriving at the
tent of the Montefik Sheik, he was received with the hospitality
invariably shown to strangers; and, remaining there until the time
of evening prayer, he stole behind the Sheik while he was pro
strating himself, and, on his rising, thrust him through the body
with a spear. As this was done in the midst of the tribe, he was