Page 232 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XI.] COAST OF ARABIA. 213

were permitted to roam about the town witli-
out being made sensible, either by impor­
tunities or questions, that this liberty was
granted as an indulgence, or that their steps
were watched. It is amusing to contrast this

fact relating to the people of Yembo’, with the
picture which has been given us by Irwin and
Bruce of its ferocious and treacherous in­
habitants. The pigs we had on board excited
more attention and curiosity than the ship,
though no European vessel had visited their
port for many years before. I had strolled
for a few miles beyond the walls of Yembo’,
with some other officers, and arrived at a
small Bedowin encampment. Here we sat

down to partake of the milk which was
brought us by the females: the several
portions of our uniform underwent a minute
scrutiny; and while the jacket of one was
pronounced decidedly indelicate, the surtout
of another accorded better with Arabian
ideas of propriety. Our hats they styled
“jidders,” or cooking-pots; but the eye-
shade of the dress caps afforded the widest
scope for conjecture. “ What can it be for?”
was echoed from all sides. “ Wonderful!"