Page 433 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

H 406
i SOUTHERN ARABIA. [CH.

5 the centre a lamp was suspended, while the
£ slaves standing around bore in their hands
:i long tapers of lighted wood. Pleading indis­

position, the Sultan did not rise, but directed
a meal to be prepared for me, consisting of
m fried pancakes, lumps of grilled meat, melted
ghi, and huge dishes of rice, all placed on
&
'/V small circular mats. After partaking of this,
I was shown into a small house, which had

i been prepared for my reception.
s Fears of the approach of the Ffithalis
I kept the whole town awake, and there was

every description of noise which can be con­
ceived. The guard, as they parade the
streets, in order to show they are awake, con­
tinue firing their matchlocks. A party sta­
tioned under our windows for our especial
protection continued to beguile their watch
with singing to the utmost extent of their
voices, and at midnight, when they got hoarse

§ and sleepy, they were relieved by a fresh set,
who commenced again with delightful vigour,
' and continued until sunrise. If we add to
g;
these the clamorous voices of females, heard
in every direction, the unintermitted yelling