Page 194 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

X.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 155

to theirs; but with a troop of thirty horse, I
would engage in six months to insure the

safe passage of gold through any part of the
adjoining country.”

During my progress in this country, with a
view to initiate myself into their manners and

domestic life, I mixed much with the Bedow-
ins, frequently living and sleeping in their

huts and tents. On all occasions I was re­
ceived with kindness, and often with a degree

of hospitality above, rather than below, the
means of those who were called upon to ex­

ercise it. The medical character which I as­
sumed proved then of much service to me,

although, it must be acknowledged, that I was
often teased for assistance where it was not

required, or where it was wholly unavailing.
The Arabs have singular ideas with respect

to medicine,—medicine, in its most compre­
hensive sense, it certainly is to them,—since

they look for no peculiar results from the use
of one kind more than another, but will swal­
low with avidity all which is given them under

that denomination. One morning I had thrown

without the door, as wholly useless, some da­
maged papers of magnesia and rhubarb ; but