Page 184 - The Pirate Coast (By Sir Charles Belgrave)

not to be seen so Loch decided to turn back, but just as they
moved off a messenger arrived with the news that the Shaikh was
on his way, so the boat pulled in again. The Shaikh was seen
coining down to the shore with a large crowd of Arabs. Me
apologised for being late, saying that he was saying his prayers,
an excuse which is often heard. The party landed and were led
to the place where they were to dine, but at once they’ were
hemmed in by the crowd who came to see ‘two such extra­
ordinary looking people’. It became almost impossible to move
owing to the press of people until the Shaikh ‘made a sign to his
men who began to lay about them with date sticks, which they
carried for the purpose, and the people in the crowd began to yell,
and to run hcltcr skelter’. It reminded Loch of‘what l had often
seen in our own country, when a crowd collected round a dancing
bear so as to impede his showing off his feats. The Showman,
taking his long pole, would sweep it round in a circle breaking
the toes of those who did not retreat, but in the ease of the Arabs
people received blows on all parts of their bodies, to the no small
amusement of those who escaped.’
They ate their meal in a large barasti in which the Shaikh held
his audiences and administered justice. Two chairs and a table,
on which were plates, knives and forks, had been placed at one
end of the room for Loch and Bruce; the Shaikh, with some of his
favourites, sat on the floor on their right and other guests sat at
the lower end of the room. To sit at a table eating a meal, while
the host and the other guests sit on the floor is uncomfortable and
not conducive to easy conversation. It is pleasanter to join the
party on the floor, but perhaps Loch and Bruce would have re­
garded this as itijra dig. A couple of chickens on a mound of rice
in a pewter dish, were placed on the table with bread and salt and
sherbet to drink. Similar large, round dishes were set on the
ground down the centre of the room, and the Arabs grouped
themselves around them. ‘The Shaikh’s dish was pilawed fowls
and rice mixed with herbs.’ This usually consists of chicken,
rice, sultanas and almonds. Before eating the Shaikh tucked the
long sleeves of his white robe above his elbows. ‘He then divided
the chicken in the neatest manner, taking hold of the drum sticks
of the fowl, and by a sudden twist engaged the two legs, then
taking the two pinions he tore oft' the wings. The rest of the
dissection was not so agreeable a sight as with his fingers he tore
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