Page 206 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

x.] COAST OF ARABIA. 187

After journeying over a low marshy plain
near the sea, covered with a saline incrusta-
tion as it advances towards the interior, we

entered a valley, which in many places along
its sides bears proof of the violence of the
winter torrents, and then reached the fort,
about five miles from the anchorage. It is,
as I have before noticed, though somewhat
smaller, built in the same style, and garrisoned
in the same way as that at Mowilahh. On
the north-east side, near the wells, there are
some small gardens, producing a few fruits
and vegetables; and to the westward we saw

a small burying-ground. I noticed here a
peculiarity in the mode of interment which I
have not before heard of or met with. On
the body being placed in the grave, it is not
filled as usual, but left covered only with a
large slab.
The fort is nearly surrounded with hills,
those on the eastern side rising so close to its
walls, that a few Arabs armed with match­
locks, and sheltered by the rocks scattered
over the surface, would soon render it un­
tenable.

I had considerable difficulty in procuring
a guard, in consequence of the absence of our