Page 417 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

378 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

police for the maintenance of order; but the

military retainers of these chiefs are usually
employed for carrying the necessary mea­
sures into execution ; and as the Imam sup­

ports but a small permanent force, the district
Sheikh employs the same individuals for the

execution of any order which he receives from
him. The inferior Sheikhs exercise a like

authority over their dependents, and the
lather over his family. Beyond the institutes

of the Koran they have no regular code of
laws; but when these are strictly adminis­
tered, they appear admirably adapted to

meet the cases which most commonly occur
in such a country. It is, however, by no

means unusual for the people to avenge their
own injuries. The adulterer may be slain by

the offended party if caught in the fact, or
even within the precincts of his dwelling;

and death may be inflicted on a thief, if de­
tected under similar circumstances. No delay
takes place in the administration of justice,

for when any dispute arises, the parties pro­
ceed forthwith to the Kadi, who, after listen­

ing patiently to either side, at once decides
it. In criminal cases, the offender is appre-