Page 448 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

6 XliUUiCTlil) AKA HI A

Some of the relatives wanted to retain me, but others insisted that I lJe
sold, so they might get their share of the inheritance in cash. The upshot
was, that I was sold, and that to some tribes to the north, not nearly as
civilized as the tribe to which I first belonged.
“After about two years, I was sold again, this lime to a man who was
soon going on the 1 lajj to Mckka. lie asked me if 1 would accompany
him, on condition that he would set me free upon completion of the 1 lajj.
This 1 was glad to do. Hut once more I was deceived, tor as soon as llm
ceremonies were completed, he sold me to one of the negroes, or aghas, that
have charge of the Kaaba. With him 1 remained for some three years.
At last one of tlte slavegirls in his establishment got to reviling me so

i

THE PATIENT

much and making my life so miserable, that 1 insisted upon my master
selling me. So he disposed of me to a man from Kuwait. It was in the
days of the famous sheikh Mubarik that I arrived there. I hit my stay there
was short, since my master met a slavedealer from Dohah (about UK-) utiles
southeast of Bahrein), who was on the lookout lor hoy slaves. Since he
could find no boys just then, he bought me, and took me to Dohah in a
boat, where he sold me at a very handsome profit.
“In Katar, of which Dohah is the main city. I remained some 20.year*
—possibly 50—I don’t know exactly. The Katar people are certainly very
hard on their slaves. Not infrequently they flog one to death. All sum.
mer I had to dive, and as soon as the dive was over, 1 was handed an axe
and forced to spend the cool months chopping desert shrubs for firewood.
Our food was of the very coarsest and poorest.
“Again trouble over a woman caused my sale. My master and his
cousin both wanted to marry the same woman. So it ended by my master

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