What is incumbent upon you, Captain Selim, is to request whatever you need and all will be delivered to you. We are not going to these territo- ries as raiders or conquerors. Be judicious and offer gifts that would be worthy of me. Work hard to conciliate these uncivilized peoples [tilk al- shu`üb al-mutarbira] that you encounter. Attain their confidence and their affection with gifts that you present to their leaders. The soldiers will accompany you not to attack or to raid but to protect your welfare.

Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Coloni…, loc. 195