Page 147 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

108 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

presents, and I passed on, determined in my

own mind not to trust again to an Arab’s
delicacy in settling a question of this nature.

At 9-45 we arrived at Wadi E th elee,
where there are some wells of good water.

Antelopes, partridges, and other game are
numerous. Here old Saaf and I were very

successful, and when we left, the dogs had a
famous course after an antelope, which they

picked up in a run of ten minutes. At one
hour we arrived at the S. E. extremity of the

grove and town of Semmed, and at 130
pitched our tent alongside a beautiful stream

of running water, a few yards from the trees.

Wednesday, \§th. Semmed is of greater
extent than many of the other oases, but
there are no more than four hundred inhabit­

ants at present on the spot. This is the

native city of my old guide and companion,
Saaf, and I found, to my great regret, that he
was to leave me here. In the evening I was

joined, most unexpectedly, by Lieutenant

Whitelock, who was travelling with leave of
absence, in order to acquire a knowledge of

Arabic. As it suited both our views, it was
agreed that we should proceed together. He