'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎102] (211/496)

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miles inland in a north-westerly direction. Said, the brother of the Sheik,
took us to his house, and refreshed us with coffee and sweetmeats ; whilst
the inhabitants of the place completely filled the room in order to satisfy
their curiosity by staring us out of countenance. We afterwards, ac
companied by several natives, walked to the other town, which is very
prettily situated in a grove of date trees, and contains a capital bazaar,
and a fort, mounting three guns, built of mud. We were here conduct
ed to the market place, where a seat was placed for us that we might
wait the arrival of the Sheik, and underwent a scrutiny from the curious
eyes of the natives. Some Banyans, of whom there were several, pre
sented us with plaintains and sweet limes, which were gratefully accept
ed after our walk.
On the arrival of the Sheik, we returned to the town, followed by a
numerous concourse of men, fully armed with swords, matchlocks, spears,
&c., and having mounted us on camels, they performed a species of war-
dance, accompanied with singing and firing their matchlocks, in honor of
our visit. On arriving at the town, our interpreter, having agreed with
the Sheik that he should provide us with camels and guides, returned to
the vessel, and left us to enjoy the hospitality of the Sheik, who took us
to his house, and served up to us an excellent fish curry, with dates
and hulwa. We afterwards smoked a pipe with our host, and retired to
rest in the house which he very politely placed at our disposal for the
night.
On the following morning a considerable dispute arose as to the num-
bei of camels and men we should take, but it was at last decided that
four camels, and the like number of men, would be sufficient. Before
starting, an unfortunate accident occurred to the only watch we had
amongst us. One of the slaves attending us, happening to see it wound
up, imagined he could do it equally well, and taking it up unobserved,
turned the key the wrong way, and so injured it that we lost the use of
it during om subsequent journey, and were obliged in consequence to
judge of the time by the sun. We tood leave of the Sheik and started
on our journey, each having a camel, and the guides, riding in turn, on
t.w fourth, fiist proceeding to the inland town to procure food for oui-
selves, attendants, and camels, consisting of dates, hulwa, and small cakes
made of coarse flour.
Our route for the first six miles lay in a south-easterly direction, when
We Came to a 1 of fre sh water in the midst of a date grove: having ^
. wa ter-skins, and allowed the camels to drink, we continued oui
journey, now in a south-westerly direction, over a hilly and very barren