Page 472 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

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XXIII.] SOUTHEttN arahia. 443

Salim, to whom some of the towns on the
coast also pay tribute. But his power, though
established for so many ages, does not, on i
ordinary occasions, seem more extensive than
that of other Sheikhs.

The other sea-port of Hydramaut is Shaher*,
which has given its name to the surrounding
district, extending about twenty miles on
either side. It is built on a gentle slope close
to the sea, and is the largest town on the
coast. East and west, its length is about one
mile and a quarter, and its width may be set
down at half that extent. The Sheikh’s
house, standing near the beach, is remarkable
for nothing more than being more spacious
than that of any private individual. Adjoin­

ing it is the prison, in which, at the period of
my visit, several malefactors were confined.
Mosques are very numerous at Shaher. The
largest, like that of Aden, is dedicated to
Sheikh Eydruse. An open space in front of
the Sheikh’s house serves as a market, in
which provisions and other commodities are
daily exposed for sale. It is singular that

* Marco Paulo mentions this town under the name of Escier,
but I am not aware that we have anywhere an account of it.