Page 397 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

370
BERBERA. [CH-

information by which it might be repelled or

prevented, there is every reason to believe
their sanction was not wanting.

To the officers of the Elphinstone the Su-
malis appeared a frank, bold, and generous
race. At a time when, in consequence of
their unwillingness or inability to pay the
sum required, their supply of provisions was
cut off, and a total stop put to their trade, by
the blockade of their port, the officers occa­
sionally fell in with parties of twenty or

thirty, at a distance of two or three miles from
the beach. It was merely necessary to ap­

proach them, and they appeared quite pleased
with such a mark of confidence. If any dan­
ger from a marauding party was to be appre­
hended, information by which it might be
avoided was readily and frankly given; their
conversation and manner being no way indi­
cative of the ill feeling which, considering the
relative situation of the two parties, may have
been anticipated. The dress of the men con­

sists of merely a single piece of white cloth
wound round their waist, one end of which,
after being carried across the breast, is thrown
negligently over the shoulder. In addition
to a cloth of this kind, of smaller dimensions,