Page 113 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

74: TRAVELS IN OMAN.

with the rest, made a very hearty meal. I
had with me neither servant nor baggage,

conceiving that, even for the short time I

should remain amongst them, the objects of
my journey would be best attained by adopt­
ing their mode of living; and the result did not

disappoint me. Among all these tribes there
appears to exist a considerable portion of tra­

ditionary lore, of which the details of the
wars and predatory excursions of themselves

and ancestors form the greatest and most at­
tractive portion. The exploits of a favourite

horse or camel are dwelt on with equal en­
thusiasm. I sat up drinking coffee, and list­

ening to their recitation of these events,
until a very late hour. Several watch-dogs

kept guard round our encampment during
the night *
.

* The Bedowin still retains that passionate love of song for
which his race has ever been distinguished. Whether tending his
flock, beguiling the tediousness of a journey, or seated after his
evening cheer at the fire, the Arab constantly breaks out into some
ditty, the theme of which is either love or war. Seated cross-legged
under the scanty shade of the date-palm, I have often listened to one
of them thus amusing himself for hours. The only accompaniment
is a rude guitar with two strings. Although nothing can be fur­
ther removed from our idea of melody, yet their sentiment and
expression are admirably suited to the scenes they describe, and
are also strikingly illustrative of the peculiar character of their