Page 185 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

146 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

did they seek either to amuse, or evince any

desire to be amused. I had, from the very
first moment that these mountains were men­

tioned to me, permitted my imagination to
dwell with delight on the rich treat which I

anticipated their investigation would afford;
I had, with a too simple belief in the ex­

aggerated tales of the Arabs, pictured to my­
self a range of verdant hills, clothed with the

richest vegetation, crowned with lofty forests,
and peopled by a simple and interesting

race, whose habits, usages, and condition
would present an ample field of inquiry: tliQ

result of such expectations are before the
reader.

Their women go unveiled, and the men
appear by no means jealous. Whenever we

fell in with them, they were either employed
tending their vines, or in other occupations

connected with husbandry, or were carrying
water on their heads from the fountain, in
the same manner, and in vessels similar to

those used in India. Constant exercise in
the open air gives an elasticity and freedom

to their gait, as well as a ruddiness and
clearness of complexion which we do not