Page 302 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XVII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 263

greater than that of any other Asiatic people
with whom I am acquainted. Although by

no means fond of exertion, when it can be
avoided, yet, in cases positively requiring

it, the manner in which they combine in­
dividual efforts is truly astonishing, their
largest barks, of three hundred tons, being

drawn by sheer physical strength above high
water mark with no other assistance than

rollers. Whenever our boats required to be
launched, or hauled over flats, they were
always happy to assist, in order that they

might laugh at the puny efforts of the Las­
cars, for to save the Europeans in hot wea­

ther that class were not unfrequently em­
ployed in such operations.
When not at feud with any of their

neighbours their time is devoted to fish­
ing, diving for pearls, or passed in com­

plete idleness, for the north-westerly gales
which prevail throughout the greater part of
the year in this gulf prevent them, during its

continuance, from putting to sea, and their
supply is then obtained from the creeks and

inlets which intersect its shores. The pearl
fishery only lasts from June to September,