Page:Algeria from Within.pdf/171

THE NOMADS

heaven, and when all was quiet he was duly called, and crept toward his lady-love. When he was quite close she whispered to him to take off all his clothes. He complied with alacrity, and when he was in nature’s garments the woman turned-to him and said:

“So this is how thou repayest the nomad’s hospitality !’’

The young man gazed at her speechless.

“I am now going to wake up my husband,’’ she continued, turning to where the old man slept.

In a moment the young sheik was on his knees imploring mercy, begging forgiveness, swearing fidelity, trembling at the thought of the fate which would surely await him if the threat were carried out. The woman watched him disdainfully for a moment.

‘“‘Coward!’’ she said at last. ‘‘Had I seen that thou wast prepared to meet thy fate like a man I should have respected thee and perhaps accorded thee a favor; as it is thou art not even worthy of the knife of my man; thou canst go!’’

The lover made as if to take his clothes. ‘‘Nay, nay,’’ she said, smiling, as she laid her hand on the bundle, ‘‘a craven needs no garments. Go; quick, quick, or I shall rouse the whole camp!”’ The youth looked at her, and seeing the look of determination, slunk out on to the plain, found his

horse, and was obliged to ride naked to the oasis; and there is no humiliation greater for an Arab than to be seen without any clothes on.