ABSTRACT
In sooth, the justice of Ibn Sa'oud is but the Shar'- the Koranic law-the justice of the Prophet. The difference between the Shar' in Najd and in other Arab countries, however, is that in the former it is summarily enforced, and without favour or discrimination. The rule of Ibn Sa'oud is no respecter of persons. To the judge, as to the executioner, all the guilty heads and all the guilty hands are one. Indeed, many a right hand in the early days of the Sultan Abd'ul-Aziz's reign was cut off for petty larceny; and many a head fell to the ground for an offence which, in other countries and under different circumstances, might have been extenuated, even pardoned. Such justice is no doubt appalling to the more civilized who live under the protection of codes which enumerate and classify crimes and misdemeanours,
Were they bought? No. Were they requisitioned? No. And we needed wood for the many coffee and kitchen fires. 'Bawd of a b'dewi! ' cried the Chief Steward, as the cameleer switched his camels and walked away behind them. 'Were it not for the Shioukh,t I would have chastised him.' I can imagine what would happen if a Turkish General were camping at Ojair and his army needed wood. But,' were it not for the Shioukh,' the Chief Steward might have acted like a Turk.
