Oh woe, oh woe,” etc.
While this wail rose from the sombre crowd, I saw white arms flung repeatedly heavenward.
The plaintive song increased in strength, till it sounded like a fearful howl, and I saw the women tearing their hair and scratching their faces. This lasted some little time.
Meanwhile the body was laid in the ground; the men sitting around in silence and weeping, whereas the wail of the women resounded louder and yet louder.
When the prayers were ended, the men rose and returned home, each going to his work; only a few remaining to fill up the grave.
A little later the women alone were left, but they had parted into two groups. In the one they stood erect, and from these came wailings; in the other group the figures squatted on the ground, resting while their companions mourned.
The Khalifa returned, and again the original noisy mob gathered around him.
The women out there had meanwhile exchanged places several times to take their turn of wailing. At last, after a lapse of half an hour, they started homewards, going to the encampment where the dead man’s tent was then being struck. Like a rag it lay on the earth, in token of the home being broken up, and not till later, when the first great grief had subsided, would it be raised again.
During this interval a meal had been prepared for me, so I retired to my room where it was delightfully cool.
Up a steep external stair I climbed from the yard to a room, and through that to another adjoining it, this last being very spacious. The roof was built of palm beams, laid one against the other, and supported in the centre by a pillar. The walls were whitewashed and lined below with rush matting, and the whole floor was covered with beautiful thick, soft carpets of great value. In one corner were cushions and pillows for a couch; in another our saddles, bags, and rugs were neatly arranged. A little window with an artistic iron grating overlooked the roof of the pillared verandah; this window was fitted with a shutter which could be closed at will to keep out the light and the flies.