Page 276 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XII.] COAST or AHA 151 A. 257

ordinary fare of those residing in villages or
towns on the sea-coast; but that of the Be-
dowins, who move about with their camels, is
more precarious and scanty. I am informed
they will undertake a journey of ten or
twelve days with nothing but a bag of small
cakes, made from flour, mixed with camel’s

or goat’s milk, and a skin of water. Two of
the former, each weighing about five ounces,
and a draught of water, the latter twice dur­
ing the twenty-four hours, form their sole
subsistence on such occasions; yet, patiently
as they endure this meagre fare, whenever
an opportunity offers, they do not scruple to
run into the opposite extreme of voracious in­
dulgence.
Their habitations consist of small huts or
tents, the former, as at Rabegh, constructed
of coarse grass and flags; the latter, as at

’Aintinah, and on the coast opposite to
Has&ni, of coarse cloths thrown over some
sticks, which afford but an indifferent pro
tection against the extremes of heat and
cold; the latter, especially during the winter
season, being very severe. In order to ob­
tain shelter against the strong prevailing
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