Smoking breaks a fast. And this fact was exemplified in a ludicrous sequel to an ugly attack on an Englishman which occurred in these parts in 1912. The Englishman had evaded his assailants, and found shelter for the night in a village: but it was quite likely he would be pursued; and at daybreak next morning every one’s nerves were very much on edge. The sun’s rays had just touched the hill-top opposite, and the shadows were rapidly sinking into the valley, when over the ridge, running as hard as he could leg it, there swooped a solitary Kurd. None could doubt the nature of his tidings; and they watched with their hearts in their mouths as he tore down the slope towards them, leapt the stream, flung himself on the grass beside it, and—lit a cigarette.
It was Ramazan: and he only wished to reach a spot where the sun had not yet risen, in order to enjoy a last smoke!
[135] Tyari men would not have eaten her at all; not for that reason, but because they have scruples about touching beef. “Our Fathers did not do so.”
[136] The Baz men are hereditary builders, and migrate in a body to Mosul in winter in order to undertake such work.
[137] i.e. “Prophet.”
[138] A comb is one of the mystic symbols which are carved on the Yezidi temple at Sheikh Adi.
[139] See note at end of chapter.
[140] See Tylor, “Anthropology,” ch. xvi.
[141] Reshid’s personal reputation may be gleaned from the fact that natives travelling in our company have begged us to pocket their cash for them while passing through his borders. Even our inviolable “shadow” was not quite good enough there!
[142] Châl in Turkish means Thieve!—habitually, and preferably with violence. But this, though admirably apposite, is not an accredited derivation.