[p.236]The body dress is simply a Kamis or cotton shirt:  tight sleeved, opening in front, and adorned round the waist and collar, and down the breast, with embroidery like net-work; it extends from neck to foot.  Some wear wide trousers, but the Badawin consider such things effeminate, and they have not yet fallen into the folly of socks and stockings.  Over the Kamis is thrown a long-skirted and short-sleeved cloak of camel’s hair, called an Aba.  It is made in many patterns, and of all materials from pure silk to coarse sheep’s wool; some prefer it brown, others white, others striped:  in Al-Hijaz the favourite hue is white, embroidered with gold,[FN#22] tinsel, or yellow thread in two large triangles, capped with broad bands and other figures running down the shoulders and sides of the back.  It is lined inside the shoulders and breast with handsome stuffs of silk and cotton mixed, and is tied in front by elaborate strings, and tassels or acorns of silk and gold.  A sash confines the Kamis at the waist, and supports the silver-hilted Jambiyah[FN#23] or crooked dagger:  the picturesque Arab sandal[FN#24] completes the costume.  Finally, the

[p.237] Shaykh’s arms are a sword and a matchlock slung behind his back; in his right hand he carries a short javelin[FN#25] or a light crooked stick, about two feet and a half long, called a Mas’hab,[FN#26] used for guiding camels.

The poorer clans of Arabs twist round their waist, [p.238] next to the skin, a long plait of greasy leather, to support the back; and they gird the shirt at the middle merely with a cord, or with a coarse sash.  The dagger is stuck in this scarf, and a bandoleer slung over the shoulders carries the cartridge-case, powder-flask, flint and steel, priming-horn, and other necessaries.  With the traveller, the waist is an elaborate affair.  Next to the skin is worn the money-pouch, concealed by the Kamis; the latter is girt with a waist shawl, over which is strapped a leathern belt.[FN#27] The latter article should always be well garnished with a pair of long-barrelled and silver-mounted flint pistols,[FN#28] a large and a small dagger, and an

[p.239] iron ramrod with pincers inside; a little leathern pouch fastened to the waist-strap on the right side contains cartridge, wadding, and flask of priming powder.  The sword hangs over the shoulder by crimson silk cords and huge tassels[FN#29]:  well-dressed men apply the same showy ornaments to their pistols.  In the hand may be borne a bell-mouthed blunderbuss; or, better still, a long single-barrel gun with an ounce bore.  All these weapons must shine like silver, if you wish to be respected; for the knightly care of arms is here a sign of manliness.