Page 424 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XIX.J SOUTHERN ARABIA. 397

when the passage is boisterous, and during
the heals, they sell for one and a half, and
two dollars each ; but at one, and never be­
yond one and a half at most other seasons.

The S&m&lis’ boats are about fifty tons :
they are much hardier navigators than the
■
Arabs, and frequently put to sea, stretching
boldly across to the Arabian shore, when the
natives are afraid to creep along their own
coast. The articles which I have enumerated
as being exchanged with the Suuialis, com­
prehend all that can be obtained in Aden.
They are brought by the Hajj boats, which
touch here in their passage along the coast,

to fill up their wood and water. The latter is
plentiful and cheap : the Arabs bring it in
skins from some wells about half a mile from
the beach.
A duty of two and a half per cent, on all
exports and imports, and a small harbour due,
is all that is exacted from boats touching
here; but a trifling present is expected by the
Dowlali. The person at present filling this
office is a clever, hospitable man, and ex­
ceedingly attentive to Europeans. He holds

i