Graham's Magazine, Vol. XLI, No. 1, July 1852Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XLI, No. 1, July 1852
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Each horseman is accompanied by a servant called _zemmal_, mounted on a
camel, carrying four goat-skins filled with water, barley for the horse,
wheat-flour for the rider, some dates, a kettle to cook the food, and
every thing which can possibly be required for the repair of the
harness. The horseman contents himself with a linen vest and trousers,
and covers his neck and ears with a light material called _havuli_, tied
with a strip of camel’s hide: his feet are protected with sandals, and
his legs with light gaiters called _trabag_. He is armed with neither
gun nor pistol, his only weapon being a wild olive or tamarind stick,
five or six feet long, with a heavy knob at one end.
Before starting, the hunters ascertain where a large number of ostriches
are to be found. These birds are generally met with in places where
there is much grass, and where rain has recently fallen. The Arabs say,
that where the ostrich sees the light shine, and barley getting ready,
wherever it may be, thither she runs, regardless of distance, and ten
days march is nothing to her; and it has passed into a proverb in the
desert, that a man skillful in the care of flocks, and in finding
pasturage, that he is like the ostrich, where he sees the light, there
he goes.
The hunters start in the morning. After one or two days’ journey, when
they have arrived near the spot pointed out, and they begin to perceive
traces of their game, they halt and camp. The next day, two intelligent
slaves, almost entirely stripped, are sent to reconnoitre; they each
carry a goat-skin at their side, and a little bread: they walk until
they meet with the ostriches, which are generally found in elevated
places. As soon as the game is in view, one lies down to watch, the
other returns to convey the information. The ostriches are found in
troops, comprising sometimes as many as sixty; but at the pairing time,
they are more scattered, three or four couple only remaining together.
The horsemen, guided by the scout, travel gently toward the birds: the
nearer they approach the spot the greater is their caution, and when
they reach the last ridge which conceals them from the sight of their
game, they dismount, and two creep forward to ascertain if they are
still there. Should such be the case, a moderate quantity of water is
given to the horses, the baggage is left, and each man mounts, carrying
at his side a _chebouta_, or goat-skin. The servants and camels follow
the track of the horsemen, carrying with them only a little corn and
water.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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