Page 447 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

420
SOUTHERN ARABIA. [CH.

being open only on the sea side, the atmo­
sphere is very confined, and the heat great.
T. his tends to ripen the dates, but its effects

are very visible in the emaciated forms of the
inhabitants. Fresh water abounds here,
flowing along in some places in rills; in
others it is preserved in holes, about two feet
deep. It appears to be of very good quality,
and the inhabitants permitted us to fill up
without making any demand. Unaccustomed
to the sight of Europeans, their demeanour
was yet extremely pleasing and inoffensive.
Fuah consists of about two hundred rudely

constructed houses. The inhabitants are of
the Biur Hassan tribe, and although close to
Makullah, bear the character of being so in­
hospitable to strangers, that we were strongly
advised by the Arabs not to land, unless with
a party sufficiently strong to protect us from
insult; and the reception one of the officers
met with, who proceeded alone to the village,
served to confirm this evil opinion. A con­

siderable quantity of tobacco is grown in the
vicinity.