'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎172] (207/450)

172
ALBU MAHOMMED ARABS. [dl. XIX.
ping down the stream in a very dead calm, which
caused us much suffering from the musquitoes, ot
which there were such incredible swarms as almost
to drive us distracted. At half past three we had a
heavy shower of rain in very large drops, succeeded
by several other showers and a squall from the north.
We were detained a few minutes by the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. ' boat
having been sucked into the mouth of a little canal
on the right bank, where she was proceeding to bed
herself, and would never have been got out again but
for the very prompt exertions of all the people of the
fleet. Many boats have been lost at this place, and
obliged to be broken up. We afterwards sailed well
for about an hour; many Albu Mahommed Arabs
staring at us, or seen moving about among their mat-
huts, which are the most primitive habitations pos
sible. A few reeds are bent into the ground at each
end, and thus form an arched crib of a few feet long,
covered with common mats ; this is their only dwell
ing summer and winter. They are themselves wild,
half-naked savages, living the greatest part of their
lives in the water like their own buffaloes, of which
by the way there are multitudes here. These Ar.ibs
are not well armed with respect to fire-arms; and
upon an attack from a superior power, such as the
Montefik Arabs, they generally betake themselves to
the heart of the morasses. They are all Shiyahs.
The Sheikh of the Montefiks invests their Sheiks,
and takes tribute from them. They are said to he