Innumerable were the sheykhs who seemed to be 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.