Page 66 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

HI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 27

along the base of which we were gliding, felt

almost overpowering. At this time the sea
presented a surface so smooth and glassy,

that it reflected the dark hills, the whitened
forts, the houses, and the shipping, with as

much distinctness as from a mirror; and it
required the slight motion communicated to

their shadows by the long, undulating swell,
which rolled slowly and lazily into the cove,

to enable the beholder to determine the pic­

tured objects from those which were real.
Under the fierce glare of the noontide heat,

the town, with its usually busy inhabitants,
was silent, and at rest. Occasionally a long,

slight canoe might be perceived, dotting the
surface, as it rose on the summit of one of the

rolling waves, with a single fisherman seated
near its stern pursuing his solitary occupa­

tion, while, hovering around him, and stoop­
ing occasionally to share in his “ scaly spoil,”

the laughing sea-gull utters that wild, shrill,
and piercing cry, distinguishable even at a

distance, and which has given rise to its ap­
propriate, but singular appellation.

On sweeping round an angle of the rock,

we perceived a large bagala lying becalmed,