Page 211 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

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192 COAST OF ARABIA. [cil.

slightest approach to insult or interruption.
This fact, as relating to a race hitherto con­
I sidered so intolerant, is worthy of remark.

1 Within their cities the dread of punishment
from the authorities would, it may be sup­

posed, prevent them from pursuing an offen­
. sive line of conduct towards us ; but here, to a
1 certain extent, it might with safety be in­

dulged in. This would show that the reli­
gious prejudices of Moslims are fast yield­
ing to the beneficial effects produced by a
more extended intercourse with civilized
Europeans.
It was a part of the system adopted by
Captain Moresby, and one to which the
uninterrupted health of our crew was un­

doubtedly owing, to permit our seamen to
land whenever an opportunity offered, and
exercise themselves with cricket, and other
athletic games. The pilgrims were beyond
measure delighted at witnessing these sports,
in which the Arabs of our bag&la joined.
Compare the circumstance of our thus amus­
ing ourselves amidst this people, with the
fearful accounts which have been furnished of
them by preceding travellers, with the national

I