Page 582 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

538 NAVIGATION OF THE

foxes, which were so tame as to allow
you to get within a few yard*
of them without their moving. The fort is a quadrangular stone build
ing, with towers at the angles. It appeared to have been strong but
was fast going to decay. I saw but one gun, which was lying near it
old and unserviceable. The inhabitants are scattered about in the date
groves. The place a little inland appeared to be well cultivated ; wheat
barley, and vegetables growing in most parts. There appeared plenty
of fresh water in the date groves, by which they were well watered.
There are about three or four hundred inhabitants, of the Shehaheen
Tribe, partly cultivators, and partly fishermen ; they send boats to the
pearl fishery, and have some little trade in salt fish, getting dates and
grain in lieu.
The Shaikh acknowledges the authority of the Imaum of Muskat,
and reckons under his government near five thousand men, distributed
in different villages about the hills, and round the several bays here­
about. Close to the western point of the small sandy bay, in a small
cove, is the village of Kuddai, situated in a date grove, with a small
tower for its defence, having about forty or fifty inhabitants. The cove
is half a mile wide, soundings eight to three fathoms, sandy bottom.
On the western side of the entrance is the village of Mokkai, containing
about three or four hundred inhabitants, mostly fishermen. Here are
some wells of good water, and the high tabular rocks on which the
houses are built give it a very romantic appearance.
Has Shaikh Mansood.
Has Shaikh Mansood is in lat. 26° 16' 15" N., long. 56° 19' E.;
bears from the village of Mokkai north about three miles, the coast
forming several small bights between, in one of which is the small
village of Hennai, having about forty inhabitants, mostly fishermen.
There is a small date grove near it. Over this village, on the summit
of a hill elevated nearly seven hundred feet above the sea, is the Be­
douin town of Alareef, subject to the Shaikh of Kassaab, and containing
nearly eight hundred inhabitants. From Ras Shaikh Mansood the
Great Quoin is seen nearly in one with Perforated Rock, bearing
N. 46° 23' E., distant twenty and a half miles, and the NW. point
of Jazeerat Gunnem N. 45° E. Between this and Kassaab the s°un
twenty-two fathoms, within
ings over the bay are from seventeen to
of rocks and sand,
five hundred yards of the shore, over a bottom
being all sand towards Kassaab.
Ras Shaikh Mansood
General Remarks.—From Ras Musseldom to
there is a continuation of coves and inlets, as heretofore described, *
numerous rocks, some elevated little more than ^ these

as two hundred feet above the level of the sea.