Page 407 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

368 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

selves; but if the matter, from the invasion of

the interior tribes, or from other quarters,
affects the safety or general interest of. the

province, the whole body, nomadic and
agricultural, professing a common faith,

which is regarded with great aversion by all
other classes of Mussulmans, and recollect­
ing their common ancestry, unite themselves

firmly to deliberate upon and to oppose it.
By such an union this isolated race have

maintained their independence from the
early period at which they first settled in

this province, until the present time.
The details which I have given of the Benf-
Abd-’Ali Bedowins indicate a deep-felt at­

tachment for their tribe, and how freely they
sacrifice life in defence of its fame. Indeed,

if we contrast the character of the Bedowin,
in general, with that of his neighbours, how

immeasurably he stands before them !—his
patriotism and natural independence render­
ing him as far superior to the Persian—a

polished slave,— whose best energies are

chilled by despotism,—as his superior phy­
sical strength, hardihood, and courage, place
him before the placid, mild, enervated Hindu