Page 237 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

198 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

SuweTk live in small huts without the walls.
They fabricate turbans and lungis here, but

the greater number, as in most other parts
of the coast, are employed in fishing or agri­

cultural pursuits.
The population is a good deal mixed, but
the same toleration is exercised as in Maskat.

Even the Shiahs have a mosque here.
Friday, March Mh. At 10’45, accompanied

by the Sheikh and about 40 horsemen, we
left the town. Having emerged from the
groves upon the open plains, they amused us

with a display of their mode of attack in
battle. In wheeling and pulling up at full

gallop, they display on these occasions great
command over their horses, and the bit they

use is certainly a very severe instrument.
They have no stirrups, and in place of a

saddle, throw a quilt, stuffed with cotton,
across the animal’s back.
Their principal and most formidable wea­

pon is a spear about fifteen feet in length
ornamented near the extremity with a tuft of

red and black feathers. This is never thrown,
but carried in nearly the same manner as was

usual with the ancient chivalry of Europe.