[FN#220] Arab.  “Sharit,” from Sharata=he Scarified; “Mishrat"=a lancet and “Sharitah"=a mason’s rule.  Mr. Payne renders “Sharit” by whinyard:  it must be a chopper-like weapon, with a pin or screw (laulab) to keep the blade open like the snap of the Spaniard’s cuchillo.  Dozy explains it=epee, synonyme de Sayf.

[FN#221] Text “Dimagh,” a Persianism when used for the head:  the word properly means brain or meninx.

[FN#222] They were afraid even to stand and answer this remarkable ruffian.

[FN#223] Ahmad the Abortion, or the Foundling, nephew (sister’s son) of Zaynab the Coneycatcher.  See supra, p. 145.

[FN#224] Here the sharp lad discovers the direction without pointing it out.  I need hardly enlarge upon the prehensile powers of the Eastern foot:  the tailor will hold his cloth between his toes and pick up his needle with it, whilst the woman can knead every muscle and at times catch a mosquito between the toes.  I knew an officer in India whose mistress hurt his feelings by so doing at a critical time when he attributed her movement to pleasure.

[FN#225] Arab.  “Hullah"=dress.  In old days it was composed of the Burd or Rida, the shoulder-cloth from 6 to 9 or 10 feet long, and the Izar or waistcloth which was either tied or tucked into a girdle of leather or metal.  The woman’s waistcloth was called Nitah and descended to the feet while the upper part was doubled and provided with a Tikkah or string over which it fell to the knees, overhanging the lower folds.  This doubling of the “Hujrah,” or part round the waist, was called the “Hubkah.”

[FN#226] Arab.  “Taghadda,” the dinner being at eleven a.m. or noon.

[FN#227] Arab.  Ghandur for which the Dictionaries give only “fat, thick.”  It applies in Arabia especially to a Harami, brigand or freebooter, most honourable of professions, slain in foray or fray, opposed to “Fatis” or carrion (the corps creve of the Klephts), the man who dies the straw-death.  Pilgrimage iii. 66.

[FN#228] My fair readers will note with surprise how such matters are hurried in the East.  The picture is, however, true to life in lands where “flirtation” is utterly unknown and, indeed, impossible.

[FN#229] Arab.  “Zabbah,” the wooden bolt (before noticed) which forms the lock and is opened by a slider and pins.  It is illustrated by Lane (M.  E. Introduction).

[FN#230] i.e.  I am not a petty thief.

[FN#231] Arab.  Satl=kettle, bucket.  Lat.  Situla (?).

[FN#232] i.e. “there is no chance of his escaping.”  It may also mean, “And far from him (Hayhat) is escape.”

[FN#233] Arab.  “Ihtilam” the sign of puberty in boy or girl; this, like all emissions of semen, voluntary or involuntary, requires the Ghuzl or total ablution before prayers can be said, etc.  See vol. v. 199, in the Tale of Tawaddud.

[FN#234] This is the way to take an Eastern when he tells a deliberate lie; and it often surprises him into speaking the truth.