strength of the wearer. The blade is long and straight,
two-edged, with a simple cross handle, having no
other guard for the hand than the plain bar, which
at right angles with the hilt forms the cross. I
believe this form was adopted after the Crusades,
when the long, straight, cross-handled blades of the
Christian knights left an impression behind them
that established the fashion. All these blades are
manufactured at Sollingen, and are exported to
Egypt for the trade of the interior. Of course they
•differ in quality and price, but they are of excellent
temper. The Arabs are extremely proud of a good
sword, and a blade of great value is carefully handed
down through many generations. The sheiks and
principal people wear silver-hilted swords. The scabbards
.are usually formed of two thin strips of elastic
but soft wood, covered with leather.' No Arab would
accept a metal scabbard, as it would destroy the keen
edge of his weapon. The greatest care is taken in
sharpening the swords. While on the march, the
Arab carries his weapon slung on the pommel of
his saddle, from which it passes beneath his thigh.
There are two projecting pieces of leather, about
twelve inches apart, upon the scabbard, between
which the thigh of the horseman fits,- and thus
prevents the sword from slipping from its place.
Carried in this position, at full speed there is an
absence of that absurd dangling and jumping of the
sword that is exhibited in our British cavalry, and
the weapon seems to form a portion of the rider.