were cheapening a sheep. [FN#26] The Mas’hab is of almond, generally brought from Syria; at the thick end is a kind of crook, formed by cutting off a bit of the larger branch from which the stick grows.  This crook is afterwards cut into the shape useful to seize a camel’s nose-ring, or a horse’s bridle.  Arabs of all degrees are fond of carrying these sticks. [It is also called Maghin.] [FN#27] This article, the Silahlik of the Turks, is composed of several oblong pieces of leather cut out to fit the front part of the body; between each fold there is room enough to stick a weapon; a substantial strap fastens it round the waist, and it serves to defend the sash or the shirt from iron mould, and the stains of gunpowder.  It is made of all kinds of material, from plain Morocco leather to the richest velvet embroidered with gold. [FN#28] It is as well to have a good pair of Turkish barrels and stocks, fitted up with locks of European manufacture; those made by natives of these countries can never be depended upon.  The same will apply to the gun or rifle.  Upon the whole, it is more prudent to have flint locks.  Copper caps are now sold in the bazars of Meccah and Al-Madinah, where a Colt’s “six-shooter” might excite attention for a day; but were the owner in a position to despise notoriety, he might display it everywhere without danger.  One of our guards, who was killed on the road, had a double-barrelled English fowling-piece.  Still, when doubts must not be aroused, the traveller will do well to avoid, even in the civilised Hijaz, suspicious appearances in his weapons.  I carried in a secret pocket a small pistol with a spring dagger, upon which dependence could be placed, and I was careful never to show it, discharging it and loading it always in the dark.  Some men wear a little dagger strapped round the leg, below the knee.  Its use is this:  when the enemy gets you under, he can prevent you bringing your hand up to the weapon in your waist-belt; but before he cuts your throat, you may slip your fingers down to the knee, and persuade him to stop by a stab in the perineum.  This knee dagger is required only in very dangerous places.  The article I chiefly accused myself of forgetting was a stout English clasp-knife, with a large handle, a blade like an “Arkansas toothpick,” and possessing the other useful appliances of picker, fleam, tweezers, lancet, and punch. [FN#29] Called “Habak”:  these cords are made in great quantities at Cairo, which possesses a special bazar for them, and are exported to all the neighbouring countries, where their price considerably increases.  A handsome pistol-cord, with its tassels, costs about 12 shillings in Egypt; at Meccah, or Al-Madinah, the same would fetch upwards of a pound sterling. [FN#30] My diary-book was made up for me by a Cairene; it was a long thin volume fitting into a breast-pocket, where it could be carried without being seen.  I began by writing notes in the Arabic character, but as no risk appeared, my journal was afterwards kept in English.