Page 257 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

218 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [cH.

we gave it a wide berth. At P50 we arrived
at the town of In&n : here the Sheikh of tlie
tribe resides. A few years ago he was pos­

sessed of considerable influence, not only in
his immediate vicinity, but also with the

most powerful tribes in Nejd; but his power
is now confined to In&n, where he usually
shuts himself up in its fort. Our path con­

ducted us through the centre of the town,
and I observed that cultivation was carried

on in inclosures to an extent equal to any
spot I have seen in Oman : some of the trees
are also very lofty, and, again, an imagina­

tion at all alive to passing scenes must have
been forcibly struck by the contrast which

the shade and gloom, upon which we were
now entering, presented to the dust and heat
of the parched and sandy track we had just

quitted. After passing another town, some­
what similar, at 3’50 we arrived at Obri.

Passing the bazar, they conducted us to an
open space before the Sheikh’s house, where
we were left with our baggage to await his

appearance. Towards sunset he paid us a
visit, and I thought I could perceive at a

glance the character of the being we had to