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SOUTHERN ARABIA. [CH.

numerous population, well supplied with all
the common necessaries of life. I have given

the number of the tribes at seven thousand
men, of whom at least two thousand match­
locks obey the summons of their sheikhs, in
conformity with the military tenure by which,
as I have already explained, their lands are
held. During this period they receive neither

pay nor arms, but are liberally supplied with
ammunition. In addition to his infantry,
Sultan Nasser can mount five hundred Be-
dowins on horseback, which gives him a great
advantage over the neighbouring tribes, who
possess no cavalry. At the head of these, a
few years ago, he made a dash in open day­
light into the town of Shugra, which he sacked
and burnt, and was in full retreat before any
of the Futhali tribe, who were in the neigh­
bourhood, could be assembled to oppose him.

These cavalry have contributed not a little to
deter the hostile neighbours with which he is
surrounded from molesting him. The horses,
though small, are finely formed, and are said
to be capable of enduring amazing fatigue.
Bullocks, sheep, and asses are also numerous
and good, in their several kinds*