Page 59 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

20 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [ch.

burning before him. Those of his own class

to whom he is indebted no sooner perceive
this, than they come in and revile him in no

measured terms, and sometimes even beat
him. But, after this ebullition, he is not

molested until he has again commenced
business, and is in a fair way to retrieve

himself, when they again commence their
importunities, so that his failure in no wise

releases him from his former obligations.
Accompanied by an Arab merchant and

some Bedowins, I once went to look at the
cows belonging to this sect. There were

about two hundred in a large space, enclosed
by a wall. The animals were well fed, sleek,

and mischievous. Myself and the merchant,
being unarmed, were permitted to enter, but

this was denied to the Bedowins, because

they wore their jambeers, and it was thought
would not fail to use them in case the ani­
mals became at all mischievous. My com­

panions immediately perched themselves,

with several others who had collected, on the
wall, and seemed to derive excessive amuse­

ment from observing the form of adoration
which the Banians were paying to their