Page 98 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

V.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 59

to their own country with presents and with

money to rebuild their town; but since the
period of their defeat no European has en­

tered their territory.
After my noon observation of the sun, a

short journey of two hours brought me on to
Beni-Abu-’Ali. A considerable crowd fol­

lowed after me until I halted, when I was
soon joined by the young Sheikh and the

principal men of the tribe. No sooner had I

proclaimed myself an Englishman, and ex­
pressed my intention of passing a few days
amidst them, than the whole camp was in a

tumult of acclamation ; the few old guns they

had were fired from the different towers,
matchlocks were kept going till sunset, and
both old and young, male and female, strove

to do their best to entertain me : they pitched
my tent, slaughtered sheep, and brought milk

by gallons. A reception so truly warm and
hospitable not a little surprised me.

Before us lay the ruins of the fort we
had dismantled,—my tent was pitched on the

very spot where we had nearly annihilated
their tribe, reducing them from being the

most powerful in Oman to their present petty