Page 58 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

II.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 19

cities of Yemen. Here they appear to pos­

sess all the privileges of Mussulman subjects,
with one single exception. The relation of a

Banian slain by a Mussulman can be com­
pelled to accept a compensation for blood,

while with the Arab it is a matter of choice.
They mostly embark at Porebunder from

the north-west provinces of India, and, in the
prosecution of their commercial avocations,

frequently remain for a period of fifteen or

twenty years. They never bring their wo­
men with them, and, though it is well known
that they occasionally intrigue with Arab

females, there are few exceptions to their

remaining unmarried for the whole of this
period. It is, however, a singular fact in

connexion with the history of this class, that,
when occasional, though rare instances occur

of their falling away from their own faith,
and adopting that of the Mussulmans, the

latter do not appear to pride themselves on

their proselytes. A practice they have of
proclaiming themselves bankrupt, is a sub­
ject of considerable diversion to the Arabs.

An individual thus situated seats himself in

the open day in his shop with a candle
c 2