Page 239 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

220 COAST OF ARABIA. [cii.

brought hither, even for the governor, at any
season.

The feeling of jealousy which prevented
our journey to these mountains also operated
in frustrating an intended visit to Yembo’-
Nakhl. It is there that the Arabs have their
country-houses, and not on the Radwah hills,
as Mr. Bruce was incorrectly informed. From
what we could learn, this tract lies in a north­
!:•
easterly direction from the town, at the dis­
tance of fifteen miles, and is situated at the
base of a range of hills, from which a stream
of water issues. Few vegetables are culti­
vated there, with a small quantity of dhur-

rah and tobacco, the attention of the Arabs
being almost exclusively confined to their
date-trees, the produce of which is much
esteemed. Among these groves the houses
are scattered, which are occupied by distinct
families. The stone used in their construc­
tion is brought from the neighbouring hills;
they are said to pass from father to son, being-

never given up by the family to which they
belong.
Before Mohammed ’All’s rule, quarrels were
here as frequent as they are in the wildest