This book has not been written With any idea that it will add to literature. Indeed, my pri mary obj ect in going to the Syrian desert was not to see things and then over-describe them in a book; I had no use for souvenir Spoons or Turkish rugs. My purpose was but for one thing, and that was to obtain Arab mares and stallions of absolute purity of blood that I could trace as coming from the great Anezeh tribe of Bedouins. That was my fixed idea in undertaking the journey. I had been deeply interested in the Arab horse for many years before I really knew any thing about them. Then, When I thought I had begun to acquire some knowledge of the breed I found that I was not learning much. Information about them, obtainable in this country, was confusing; alleged authorities contradicted each other in every argument; the thing to do, it seemed to me, was to go myself to the home of the Arab horse and there learn of him from his master, the Bedouin.