Page 390 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XVIII.] BERBERA. 363

formed elastic weapon, which they manage
with considerable adroitness. Their spears,
usually eight or ten feet in length, are adapted
for both thrusting and throwing, as the dis­

tance between the combatants will admit.
They also cut and hack with the edge of the
blade ; each individual carries two, three, and
sometimes more.
The permanent residents are very few, not
exceeding, during the warm months, a dozen
families; but from the month of September
to that of April in the following year, during
which time an annual fair or mart is held,
the influx of Sum&lis and other-visiters swells
the amount from seven to sometimes ten
thousand souls; but the number and cha­
racter of these is constantly changing, for the

first caravans remain no longer than until
they have disposed of their merchandise, and
others from various quarters successively ar­

rive and depart throughout the season.
The object of these Africans in thus resort­
ing in such multitudes to the mart at Berbera,
is to barter the various articles produced in
the interior, for others which are brought from