Page 286 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XIII.] COAST OF ARABIA. 267

In consequence of the crowded state of their
vessels, whenever a manoeuvre is to be exe­
cuted, the confusion is very great. The black
pilgrims are treated with little consideration ;
and quarrels constantly arise between the
sailors and the Turkish and Mogrebin passen­

gers, which the latter frequently decided with
their knives. To avoid the crowd and filth of
the interior, many of the pilgrims sling their
beds, which resemble the char-pais of India,
outside the vessel, where, sheltered by an awn­
ing, they remain during the whole voyage.
Attached to the caravans, and at the various
stations, are a number of wretched beings, for
the most part in the last stage of disease, and
solely dependent on the precarious charity of
their fellow-travellers for the means of visit­

ing and returning from the holy cities. To
prevent their accumulation at the different
ports, where they would probably engender
disease, they are portioned out into separate
parties by the governors, who compel the dif­
ferent boats and ships to furnish them with
provisions, and convey them, free of expense,
to the various ports whither they may be pro­
ceeding.