when the Arabs were leaving us.

"Because," he added, "strangers, I know, are sometimes suspicious
about money; and I would not, for worlds, have you think that I
would put you to expense." I assured him that I did not think so,
and then the subject was dropped.

He was, at any rate, up to his time, for when I came down on the
following morning I found him in the narrow street, the first on
horseback. Joseph, the Frenchman, was strapping on to a rough pony
our belongings, and was staring at Mr. Smith. My new friend,
unfortunately, could not speak a word of French, and therefore I had
to explain to the dragoman how it had come to pass that our party
was to be enlarged.

"But the Bedouins will expect full pay for both," said he, alarmed.
Men in that class, and especially Orientals, always think that every
arrangement of life, let it be made in what way it will, is made
with the intention of saving some expense, or cheating somebody out
of some money. They do not understand that men can have any other
object, and are ever on their guard lest the saving should be made
at their cost, or lest they should be the victims of the fraud.

"All right," said I.

"I shall be responsible, Monsieur," said the dragoman, piteously.

"It shall be all right," said I, again. "If that does not satisfy
you, you may remain behind."