Page 266 - Neglected Arabia 1906-1910 (Vol-1)

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loosely tlirowu. 'Hioso they laid one by one in regular rows in the
boxes sent from Xorway for the purpose. One quick-fingorccl girl
、vas able to pack seven boxes a day, although she was not well. An­
other, an old woman, could only finish one and a halt' Each was to
receive two cents a box for the packing. So none could grow very
r»ch at the work, although wliat they received no doubt meant a great
(leal to them. The dates not good enough tor packing wero sot aside,
aii(l later taken upstairs and dried in the sun, to be packed in baskets
or to be cooked and dried, and of some date syrup would be made.
While tliey were standing watcliing the packing, the Iiamals (men
who carried the dates from the boats to the packers) brouglit a special
Ivitul of dates, and, on perceiving this, a large number of the packers ran
to fill their boxes with the kind which were easier to pack. But the
lioavy stick applied on the back of a few dispersed them quickly to
ilioir work. Tlio whole court had hundreds and Iuindrods ot boxes
tilled witli dates brought from tlic surrounding groves in large boats,
such as were usee! perhaps in St. Paul’s time.
After seeing tlic packing process, tliey went to visit some of the
women living on the place, and Jasamin's heart glowed with love for
Clirist, as she told tlicm of the birth of Jesus, ami that He gave His
life for them. Then she told them of Joseph in Egypt. Some seemed
to listen, and others were indifferent. Then one stopped Iier and
asked it she was married, and why not, and could not understaiul
when she said she did not wish to have a Iuisbancl. Among tlicm, all
but very little girls are eitliQr married, divorced or widows. Cut few
women are not divorced once or more. Then tliey asked where she
bought the cloth for her dress, and how much it cost, and won't she
give them a dress? But she brings them again and again back to
the subject, and asks if they would not like to buy some Gospels that
would tell them all about Jesus. At first they are indifferent and
afraid to take any, then one person gets courage to take one, and
then others wish them, especially some men, who were near listening.
Only one or two of the women and girls could read; but others had
some one in the family who could read for them. One man, named
Mohammed (after their false prophet), asked for a whole Bible, and
it was given him. He clasped it to his heart and was very pleased,
and said he would read it all. As she departed, all said, “Do come
every day and talk to us.”
The long, hot clay finally drew to a close, and as it neared sunset
the packers gradually stopped their work and repaired to the mat
huts, which had been set up temporarily for their use. Soon the
smoke of the camp fires arose, and the women began to bake the
Arab bread and some cooked rice for the evening meal. One poor

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