Page 276 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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I'.ilkert what inscription she wanted on 1u*r husband's stone, she said: "By
ail means I want to see the words Member of the Arabian Mission." And
| echo her sentiment, and desire no greater distinction than this one, that \
| am a meml>er of the Arabian Mission, Prom childhood the Arabian I
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.Mission has been enshrined in my mind and heart as something holy,
Hiinelhing very, very sacred. And here we are. gathered from everywhere,
with all our varying backgrounds, traditions, outlook and personality, yet
inie in that holy communion of membership in the Arabian Mission. What
mailer llie small details which souu limes irritate, or what matter the vistas
ul lives we might have led, or joys we might have lasted, or honors we
might have reaped; what matters anything at all save that we have Un­
enviable distinction, the incomparable honor, the staggering responsibility
ul being members of the Arabian Mission.
Oh. blest eoinmnnion fellowship divine.

MODERN ARABIAN TALES
Leaves From a Doctor’s Diary

A Disckunti.kd Wkhimni. Hukst
Jly I)k. I.. I*. Dame
W joy and happiness. Their form depends, of course, on the locality
KDDINCjS are consummated the world over by celebration* of
and the means at hand.
(»n the Pirate Coast in Arabia, Sheikh K-------was to be married
n> the daughter of a neighboring ruler. A great crowd stood oiu-
ddc the castle peering over the blazing sand for the coming of the bridal
party. It was expected about an hour before sunset and was now due.
Suddenly singing was heard from the opposite side where an arm of the
sea formed a small harbor fit for little boats. A long canoe-like boat
skimmed over the water, (listening black skin sparkled in I lie sunlight as
Millie twenty slave oarsmen bent their backs and lustih sang as they pulled
their oars. At the back end of the boat was a small curtained-off section
m which sal a bride—but not the Sheikh’s bride. This parly was another
affair.
So we waited and watched some of the celebrations taking place. A
Negro slave band appeared bearing their tom-toms and began to beat them
t
rhythmically while nearby a group of women gave shrill blood-curdling
veils at intervals. Some men did a wild sword dance and there were horse
.
! races. Some of the bare-back riding was really marvelous, especially
when two riders rode side by side on galloping steeds, threw their arms
about each others’ shoulders and held them there while tin- horses were
urged on to still greater speed. Then came the camel race, a free-for-all
in which many entered but few remained. The camel is not built for
'< speed but when a good rider gets on a thoroughbred ( Mnanie dromedary it
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is surprising what speed it can make.
A Bedouin rider came in second best and when the winner was given a
prize and none was forthcoming to him he was very wroth. He insisted

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