Page 59 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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OIL HARRISON AND MR. VAN PEURSEM AT SOHAR. THE WALI IN CENTRE
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Sohar is undoubtedly an important center for missionary work. Though
*Jcr the rule of Muscat, it touches other governments and many tribes,
a U in close communication with the tribes of Meremi on the southwest,
tub the sheikhs of the Trucial coast, and even with Debai, to which there
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-» a regular caravan route. In addition to these, Sohar is in close touch
♦ah a wandering tribe whose only abode is on a camel or under a kind
Aidy tree. These bandits number perhaps ten thousand. They do not
fij and have no occupation but robbery. They generally attack those
'tioare unarmed, asleep on camels, or on some other account not prepared
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9 defend themselves. They fall on those only who are weak and seldom
‘&ck caravans. One of our friends called them “wild animals’* and he :
^ht to have known, for he himself wore long hair and was certainly far
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*an tame. In our short stay of sixteen days we met representatives of
4these varieties of people. Many of them had not heard that the former
HJjnin doctor had moved to Matrah, but they rejoiced to find that he had
into their midst.
The people of these districts arc unspeakably poor. They do smoke
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ifcccu, hut use old cartridges fur pipes and Hint [or mutches. Their sun-
they curry in the pocket except in the middle of the day when the sand 1
ttoo hot for bare feet. Even these sandals are made from fox skins and
ja be bought for a dime. Many people never see meat. They probably
si rice once a day and fare on bread and codec for the rest. A person can
tiuM on very little when once accustomed to the simple life. We were
jtmich interested in a man, Hussain, brought to the doctor on a date-
fdc stretcher. His right leg was one nest of abscesses and gangrene had \

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