Page 452 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXV.] NAKAB EL HAJAR. 413

towards a good understanding was met by the

most ungracious and repulsive return.
They now held frequent conversations with

each other apart, of which it was evident we

were made the subject,—and they not only

refused water, except in quantities which they

considered sufficient, but watched our move­

ments so closely, that for a time, I found it

impossible to take either notes or sketches.
Without anticipating dangers, still it was

impossible not to feel that our situation must

have been a critical one, had these men

played us false. I knew that the natives of
this district are considered especially hostile

to those of a different creed ; and that they

had some years ago cut off the whole of a

boat’s crew of the only vessel that had pre­

viously touched on their coast, by seducing

them with promises from the beach ; I could
not, therefore, but accuse myself of rashness,

in thus venturing with no better pledge for

our safety than their promised fidelity. There

was, however, but little time for such reflec­

tions, and without evincing any change or

mistrust in my manner, I determined to

watch their conduct narrowly, and to lose