Page 121 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

82 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

decamped to return to Beni-Abfi-’Ali by an­

other route, more to the westward. Very
much did I regret being compelled to do so,

since I might, with my present escort, with­
out the slightest fear of interruption, have

proceeded to the confines of the Mahara
Bedowins; but Oman, “metal more attrac­

tive,” was before me. Until 1-30, the face
of the country continued the same as I

have before described it, but afterwards we
crossed some arid plains, exhibiting neither

trees nor bushes, and displaying alternately
either a pebbly surface, or extensive saline

incrustations. At sunset we halted for a
short time to feed the camels, and then, as

the night was fine, resumed our journey.
At 12'45, after a long ride, at a hard pace,

of fourteen hours, we arrived at a small Be-

dowin encampment, where we put up for
the night. What an enviable attainment is

that of being able to sleep on a camel! By
the time I reached our halting-place I was

fairly tired out, but, with the exception of
the Sheikh, who rode alongside of, and was

chatting with me, every other individual of
the party had fallen into a sound slumber.