Page 224 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)
P. 224
XII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 185
approach of bad weather are hauled upon
shore beyond the action of the sea with little
difficulty.
A revenue of from three to four hundred
dollars is annually drawn from Burka. It
arises principally from dates, on which, as
well as on all other exports or imports, a
duty of ten per cent, is levied. The Imam
maintains a small force of about two hundred
men here : their wages are partly paid out of
this impost.
Sunday, 'Z&th. We passed the morning in
listening to some law cases, mostly relative
to debts and trifling offences, which were de
cided by the Kadi. It rained hard all day,
and we were unable to leave, but derived
considerable amusement from watching the
busy scenes passing in the baz&r. The seller
disposes his several articles in a heap before
him, and seats himself quietly on his haunches
beside it. A buyer approaches, and the affair
is settled, probably, after not more than half
a dozen words have been spoken. But mark
the contrast: at the distance of a few yards
is also seated a female, who sells grain; one
of her own sex approaches for the purpose of
