Page 397 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

358 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

stem the better) who, in their precarious

mode of life, had made himself conspicuous
by his valour or wisdom, and was adapted to

be their leader during war, or to preside in
their councils during peace. As they spread

forth, they would still view with interest and
affection the stock from whom they sprang,

and, upon the appearance of a common
enemy, would unite themselves by a volun­

tary and mutual contract to expel him. Should
their strength at first be unequal to effect

this openly, they fled to their deserts, at all
times an impenetrable place of refuge, and
from thence never ceased to harass and

annoy the invader until they drove him from
their country.

How successful their adoption of this na­
tural mode of warfare has ever proved may
be gathered from the result of the different

invasions which have been directed against
them. When Aulius Gallus penetrated from

the shores of the Red Sea, the inhabitants,
making but a slight resistance, retired before

him ; but no sooner had they drawn him by
these means into the interior, where his troops

began to be wasted by sickness, than they