eclined dancing before Christians. Delemy
expostulated with them, representing the propriety of doing so,
before the prince's guests; but the ladies apologised, by declaring
that their splendid dancing dresses were not made up. Delemy,
however, with the true energy of an Arab, was determined that he
would make our abode here as pleasant as possible, and desirous
also to show us the spirit of Arabian dancing, he went himself,
accompanied by two of his friends, to a douar, at some miles'
distance, and, after much persuasion, he prevailed on six young
ladies to come and dance. In about two hours, the sheik returned,
and informed us, that knowing that beds in the desert would not
suit our customs, he had engaged some young girls to amuse us with
dancing during the night, assuring us at the same time that they
excelled in that graceful art, and he had no doubt they would amuse
us. The tents were cleared and lighted; two sheep were killed, and
the _cuscasoe_ was preparing, when the ladies arrived. The music
consisted of an instrument similar to a flageolet, (_tabla_) a
kettle-drum, and a sort of castanets of steel, an _erbeb_, or
fiddle with two strings, played with a semicircular bow. The tunes
141 were gay and sprightly, and the damsels tripped along on the light
fantastic toe in a very superior and elegant style. They danced
without men; advancing gently at first, apparently without taking
the foot off the ground, but gradually advancing; after which they
performed some steps similar to those in the Spanish bolera; and,
turning round on the toe, they danced a most elegant _shawl_ dance,
equal to what was danced at the Opera in London by Parisot, but
without the horizontal movement, or any motion that could offend
the chastest eye. This unique national dance was encouraged from
time to time by the approbation of twelve captains of the viceroy's
guard, warriors of fame in arms, who were Arabs of the Woled
Deleim, and who were seated in a circle, with us, round the
dancers, expressing their delight and gratification in witnessing
such superior grace and elegance, exclaiming--

"Afakume el Arabe, makine fal el Arabe,
El Hashema, u zin, u temara, fie el Arabe."
"Bravo, O Arabs! there is none equal to the Arabs:
Excellent is the modesty, beauty, and virtue