Remembering to have read in some book a statement that the Ghawazi or dancing-girls formed a tribe by themselves, and spoke a peculiar language, I asked an American who has lived for many years in Egypt if he thought they could be Gipsies.

He replied that an English lady of title, who had also been for a long time in the country, had formed this opinion.

But when I questioned dancing-girls myself, I found them quite ignorant of any language except Arabic, and knowing nothing relating to the Rommany.

Two Ghawazi whom I saw had, indeed, the peculiarly brilliant eyes and general expression of Gipsies.

The rest appeared to be Egyptian-Arab; and I found on inquiry that one of the latter had really been a peasant girl who till within seven months had worked in the fields, while two others were occupied alternately with field-work and dancing.
At the market in Boulac, Mahomet took me to a number of _Rhagarin_.