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A Prince of Islam 279
pot shots at stragglers from the caravans. If the robbers brought down their human game, they dashed in, looted the body, and escaped back to the desert. I was also informed that in certain passes the Sheikhs of Bedouin tribes held up caravans and forced the pilgrims to pay toll. These bandits rob after the fashion of Robin Hood, taking only a few piastres from the poor but making the rich pay heavily.
We asked Emir Ali about this, and he admitted that such a condition had existed in the time of the rule of the Turks, but declared that, now the country was under Arab control, the King had managed to keep the caravan route to Mecca clear of bandits. This is quite likely the truth, for many people say that King Hussein has used the large gold subsidy paid him by the British until a few months ago to buy off the Bedouins. This is quite in keeping with his reputation of a clever politician, for, if it is a fact that his ambition is to be Caliph of Islam, his best bet is to gain the friendship of the pilgrims. Especially is this so, as it is well known that each year, during the pilgrimage, the leaders of every Mahommedan country, or their representatives, hold secret meetings in Mecca to discuss ways and means of spreading the Faith and for strengthening its power.
For the trip to Mecca the Javanese pilgrims were required to wear pilgrim dress. This dress is restricted to two white pieces of cloth, or towels, one thrown over the shoulders, and the other fastened about the waist. Not even a hat or sandals is permitted pilgrims. They