circular hearth, formed of smooth round pebbles, spread evenly and close together. When this primitive hearth was sufficiently heated, the embers were carefully removed, and well-kneaded paste, flattened out by the hand, was thrown on to the hot stones, and quickly covered with the burning ashes. In this way several large cakes of unleavened bread were soon made ready.
I returned to the tent. Our canteen and provisions had been unpacked, much to the amusement of the men, who were especially pleased with the knives, and forks, and spoons. Wooden bowls of cream and milk were brought, and the flat cakes of bread were served quite hot. They were about half an inch in thickness, and had received the impression of the pebbles of which the hearth was composed. This most likely was the same sort of bread which Sarah of old made for the strangers, in obedience to Abraham 's desire, when he said, "Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth."
The women stood in a group at a little distance looking on while we cut up our cold roast chicken. They had never seen people eat with knives and forks before. It must have appeared very barbarous to them. They laughed shyly, and hid their faces with the ends of their shawl head-dresses when they were noticed, and suddenly they disappeared altogether, as if in obedience to a given signal. I made a sketch of Kasîm, the hạndsomest and most stately-looking of the men. He blushed like a girl when he saw his face in my book. He expressed great curiosity about our intended movements, and was very communicative. The other men asked no questions—neither did they seem willing to answer any, except in the usual words "Yâllem Allah"—"God knows."
After a final cup of coffee had been passed round we remounted, and went on our way at about two o' clock, riding over hills covered with wild thyme, and through valleys where grain sown by the Bedouins was springing
