Page 249 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

230 COAST OF ARABIA. [CH.
I
than any other between Yembo’ and Jid-
dah. Its summit is the stronghold of a fierce
n and warlike race of Bedowins (a branch of

the great Harb tribe), called Beni Sub-h,
who inhabit its fastnesses, and divided into
I smaller tribes, rove about in its vicinity.
Several of them were pointed out to us at

% Sherm Bare'ikah. The numerous passes by
which these mountains are approached have
been successfully defended against the Wall-
h&bis during their late irruption. When the
whole of Hejciz submitted to their arms, the
Beni Sub-h alone boldly asserted and main­
tained their independence. Their territory
afforded shelter to such of the neighbouring
tribes as, with their families and property,
were willing to seek their protection. The

national independence of Arabs has been
much talked of, but I question if this be not
one of the few tribes that has never known a
master. At two passes in the route of the
caravan, called Safra and Jedideh, they were
less successful. After a long resistance they
surrendered to Sa’ud. It may be remembered
that it was against the latter of these passes,
when in the possession of the Wahhabis, that