Page 211 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

172 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

town of Semayel, which is considered the
half-way station between Maskat and Nes-

wah, and took up our quarters in a very small
but neat Cadjan hut. A beautiful stream of

water glided along before the door. Weary
and faint from the fatigue of our day’s journey,

in order to enjoy the freshness of the evening
breeze, I had spread my carpet beneath a tree.

An Arab passing by, paused to gaze upon
me, and touched by my condition and the

melancholy which was depicted in my coun­
tenance, he proffered the salutation of peace,

pointed to the crystal stream which, sparkling,
held its course at my feet, and said, “ Look,
friend; for running water maketh the heart

glad.” With his hands folded over his breast,

that mute but most graceful of Eastern salu­
tations, he bowed and passed on. I was in a
situation to estimate sympathy; and so much

of that feeling was exhibited in the manner of

this son of the Desert, that I have never since
recurred to the incident, trifling as it is, with­
out emotion. From the Sheikh of this town

we received much attention and civility; he

expressed the most lively concern at witness­
ing the state of our health, and most confi­