Page 85 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

46 TRAVELS IN OMAN, [CH

south-east extremity of the seaward range, to

an extensive valley abreast of Kilhat, the
mountainous tract is called Futlah. In the

narrow ravines by which it is intersected
there are said to be sixty villages, or rather

hamlets, containing about one thousand five
hundred inhabitants, who bear the general

appellation of the Beni Kaled and Beni
Daud. About six hundred of the former

occupy a valley bearing the same name on
the south-west side of the mountains, so very

narrow and steep that one part in the line of
its bed can only be crossed by means of

ropes. Independent of the numerous streams

and rills by which the several valleys are
watered, rain is more frequently experienced
here than on the plains, and a considerable

quantity of grain and fruit is reared. One

tenth of the produce of the soil goes to the
Sheikh of Sur.

Proceeding for a short distance along this
ridge we fell in with some shepherds, who

testified at first no little surprise at our ap­
pearance, but a few words from my guide re­

assured them, and we accepted with much
thankfulness an invitation to their mid-day