Page 161 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

122 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [di.

tower one hundred and fifty feet. It is cer­

tainly a work of extraordinary labour, and,
from its appearance, most probably of con­

siderable antiquity; but, on this point, I
could gain no certain intelligence. The na­

tives have not overrated its strength ; neither
artillery nor shells could make much impres­

sion : it would be too high to scale, even if
the upper wall was breached ; and the only

practicable way which I can conceive, would
be either starving out the garrison, or mining

it. Even the latter operation would be
tedious.

The dry bed of an extensive stream passes
its base. Within this several houses have

been erected, but, about three years ago,
after some heavy falls of rain on the moun­

tains, it filled its bed so suddenly that the
whole of these, as well as a considerable part

of the town, were washed away. It had not
been known to rise to such a height for thirty

years before.
Neswah in extent resembles Minn A, but

the groves are more numerous. A great
quantity of sugar-cane is grown, and its pro­

duce manufactured here by a process similar