Page 196 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

X.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 157

the former is supposed to possess, that I
could not, to an Arab, make a more accept­

able present. Towards noon I walked out
alone with my gun, when I made my notes,

or otherwise, and was accompanied by a group
of Bedowin boys, who collected flowers and

Desert shrubs :—to avoid suspicion, I ascribed
medicinal properties to what they brought,—

and the Arabs were then in no manner sur­
prised at my solicitude for them.

All orientals are early risers : the Arabs go
to bed about ten, and their first sleep is over

shortly after midnight. The poorer classes
repose upon mats on the ground : those in

better condition on rude bedsteads with four
legs, having the frame crossed by ropes. Al­

though I have known a Bedowin on a Desert
journey travel three days and as many nights
without any other slumber than that ob­

tained on his camel, yet within a town or en­

campment they will sleep during the greater
part of the day, without finding it any in­
terruption to their usual repose at night, and

they often expressed surprise that I did not

thus indulge. As soon as it is light, an Arab
commences his religious exercise by saying,