Page 402 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XVIII.] BERBERA, 375

ing tribes, have no towns or fixed places of
abode; and in this and other respects, appear
in habits and character to resemble the
Bedowin Arabs. Their audacity is so great,
that caravans are frequently plundered not
two hours’ journey from Berbera, and it was
a common event for them to carry off the
camels left to graze near the town. Imme­
diately their approach was discovered, all the
male inhabitants sallied out against them, but
mounted on fleet horses or camels, if un­
successful in carrying off their plunder, they

almost invariably managed to reach their
fastnesses amidst the hills in safety.

Shumaki, the chief already spoken of,
was very anxious that some officers of the
vessel should visit the Sultan at Hurra; who,
he was convinced, would be delighted to
receive and entertain them, As Shumaki
himself offered to remain as a hostage, and
also to furnish a sufficient guard, it is much
to be regretted such an opportunity of acquir­
ing information should have been lost; but
circumstances, it is imagined, prevented the
commander from sanctioning the requests of
the officers who were desirous of availing
themselves of it. Notwithstanding the general