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THE UNPOPULAR LANDOWNER

in money difficulties and wished to sell their land. Some owners journeyed forty miles to come and see me, and explain the great advantage of their property. But, knowing something of the Land Code, I inquired about the tenure. I wanted only ‘mulk’ or freehold land; and ‘ wakf’ (land held in tail or mortmain) of various and awful kinds is much more common. At last a sheykh came who declared his land was ‘ mulk,’ and certain of our neighbours, men of worth, testified of their certain knowledge that he spoke the truth.

The village where the property was situated was a long day’s journey from our own. A fortnight after my discussion with the owner SuleymAn and I set out on our way thither, having sent Rashid ahead of us to find a decent lodging, since it was our intention to remain there several days.

The village was arranged in steps upon a mountain side, the roofs of houses on the lower level serving as approach to those above. On all the steep slopes round about it there were orchards, with now and then a flat-roofed house among the trees.

Rashid came out to meet us, accompanied by

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