Page 137 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

98 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

The Sheikh met me at one of the gates, and

accompanied me on foot through the town;
lie appeared very anxious I should halt here,

but I was desirous to push on to Ibrah. The
tops of the houses and the windows were

crowded with people assembled to see us.
At one hour we passed Dereeza, and at

1’30, Moderak; both small oases with vil­
lages within them. At two hours, the country,

which had hitherto presented a succession of
plains, now alters its character. Low hills of

limestone formation, about one hundred and
fifty feet in height, intersect it. Jackals
and hyenas occupy the numerous caverns

which its surface presents. At 5’30, wind­

ing from N. N. W. to W. N. W., still along
W&di Beth a, we arrived at the town of
Ibrah.

I pitched my tent in the dry bed of a tor­

rent, within a few yards of the Date Grove.
A clear and sparkling stream flowed around
its margin, and on its banks were seated

several females, who had been bathing, and
were then, notwithstanding my approach,

nearly in a state of nudity. Others were
washing linen, or cleansing their bright cop­