Page 115 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

76 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [cH.

wards, the good dames sent for me. I found

them in a small hut of a conical form, con­
structed of poles, fastened to the upper part

with leathern thongs, and covered with skins.
It was so very small, that two persons lying

down would fill its whole area. The women
were seated on an old carpet near a good fire,

and I was invited to place myself between
them. They were unveiled, and entered

freely into conversation with me. After an­
swering a hundred questions connected with

the English and their country, coffee, and
then milk, were introduced. They brought

the latter in a bowl wove from the husk of
the cocoa-nut, but its texture was so close that

none escaped. I saw no other furniture ex­
cept a few skins, for holding dates or water;

an earthen pot for boiling coffee; and two or
three copper vessels for rice; together with a

few ragged camolines, mats or skins, on
which they sleep. A heap of salt fish lay in

one corner. After making them a few trifling
presents, with which they were highly de­

lighted, I took my leave, and walked out
with the Sheikh to seek for botanical speci­

mens, of which I found a great abundance.