Page 447 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

408 NAKAB EL HAJAR. [CH.

rudely constructed with the branches of the

date-palm. Along the beach, above high-
water mark, the fishermen had hauled up
their boats, where they are always permitted
to remain, unless required for use. In their

construction they differ in no respect from
those which I have described in other parts
of the coast.

At 7‘20, leaving the sea-shore, we wound
our way between a broad belt of low sand­
hills, and halted for two hours, about three

miles from the village of’Ain Jowari, to which
one of our guides was despatched, in order to
secure a supply of dates, the only food they

cared to provide themselves with. Directly
he returned we again mounted, and at eleven
hours, the loud and deep barking of some
dogs announced to us that we were passing

the village of ’Ain Abu Mabuth ; but we saw
nothing of the inhabitants, and at one hour
a.m. halted for the night.

We were now in the territories of the Di-
yabi Bedowins, who, from their fierce and
predatory habits, are held in much dread by
the surrounding tribes. Small parties, while

crossing this tract, are not unfrequently cut