Page 429 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

.390 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

great extent of the slave-trade in these coun­

tries, that they are treated with considerable
kindness. In Arabia, indeed, there is but

little difference between servitude and slavery;
for that can scarcely be deemed compulsatory

where, if displeased with his master, the slave
can go to the Kadi and demand a public sale.

This, however, very rarely occurs : the mas­
ter’s authority extends to selling, exchanging,

and punishing them ; but he cannot, even for

crimes which the law deems worthy of death,
inflict that punishment without a public trial.

If a master furnishes a slave with a wife, and
she bears sons and daughters, the wife and

children are sold with the father. Upon the
death of the master the slaves are usually set

free. The Mohammedan law forbids the mak­

ing slaves of Mussulmans ; but a slave brought
up in that faith, who has been once manu­
mitted, can again voluntarily engage himself

to another master. Arabs of condition have

two or more slaves to assist them in their
household establishment, besides others who

are placed in situations of trust. In either
instance they receive a degree of considera­

tion and kindness which is not always ex­