Page 120 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

VI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 81

Mazura, in 1835, with the intention, it was
supposed, of plundering her: this intention,

however, they stoutly deny. Milk, dates,

and fish form their principal food, and, as the
water is indifferent, they drink large quan­
tities of the former. Their dates are ob­

tained principally from the extensive groves

at Beni-Abu-’AU, with the people of which
they are intimately connected by the ties of
blood.

Their country boasts a very salubrious

climate. Invalids from Maskat frequently
reside here for two or three months, par­
taking of the simple food of its inhabitants,

and they are said, even in the most obstinate

cases, to derive great benefit from it. As to
their modes of punishment, for stealing a
camel, sheep, &c., provided it is the first of­

fence, simple restitution only, is insisted on ;

for the second, they impose a fine; and
for the third, the offender is manacled and
imprisoned. Fines are also inflicted for

abusive language: murder or manslaughter,

as with other tribes, is revenged on the of­
fender by the relations of the deceased.
Tuesday, December Sth. At ten, a.m., we

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