Page 72 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

TRAVELS IN OMAN. 33
111.]

some, but the effect is, in a measure, de­
stroyed by the absurd practice of dying the

skin with henna. Their freedom of demean­

our, when contrasted with that usually ob­

served in Arab towns, gives no very flattering

picture of their morals.

Camels had been provided for us, and,

after a ride of two hours over a country

wholly uninteresting, we arrived at the vil­

lage of Rooah, which has some gardens and
wells of water.

We passed several caravans of Bedowins,
journeying to, or returning from Maskat.

Their complexion is much fairer than that

of any other Arabs that I have yet seen, and.

their stature, though short, is well propor­

tioned. Their hair, which is permitted to

flow in plaited folds as low as the waist,

gives them a very striking and martial ap­
pearance when seated with their sword and

shield, cross-legged, on their war camels.

They have dark, lively, expressive eyes, o.

well-formed nose and mouth; and theix
*
pearly white teeth offer a fine contrast to

those of the town Arabs. They seen o.
laughing, good-humoured race, and chattea

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