'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎107] (216/496)

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meet me at this place, and accordingly I found him on the beach in
readiness to start. Our arrangements were soon completed, and in less
than half an hour from landing, mounted behind my guide, as he had
only provided one camel, commenced the journey by proceeding towards
Jahlan, where we arrived at 9 A. M., and went direct to the Ameer’s house.
When about six miles from the town my guide was alarmed by the report
of fire arms, expressing great fear that some foul play was going on, but
after the lapse of about a quarter of an hour, a noise of an approaching
party was heard. The guide was immediately with his head on the ground,
and after listening for a few seconds, he jumped up and moved on merrily,
pronouncing the approaching individuals to be friends : and shortly after
we met, and learnt that the firing had proceeded from them. On enter
ing the town, my guide, Akmar, having dismounted, the camel suddenly
took fright at a stray bullock, and threw me. I was somewhat stunned at
first, but fortunately not injured. The Bedouin shewed the greatest soli
citude, and it was some time before I could convince him that no damage
was done. The distance from Leshkairee is about sixteen miles : the first
part of the road was very broken and sandy, the latter generally level and
more firm, with the usual tree of the desert, the Acacia, called by the
natives “ Grharf,” but not at all plentiful. As soon as the sun was up
next morning, I received several visitors, all those who had seen me last
year expressing great delight at my paying them a second visit, and
anxiously enquiring whether I would return again next year ; to which I
constantly replied with the usual answer, “ Insh Allah.” The old Ameer,
I was sorry to observe, was much altered for the worse. He appears very
infirm now, and is constantly ailing, and I was much surprised to find
that the fortifications he was so intent on repairing last year, were entirely
abandoned, being exactly in the same state as at that time. Immediately
after the noonday meal, took leave of the old Ameer, and set out in com
pany with five or six companions for the adjacent town of the Beni-boo-
Hassan’s, where I purposed passing the night with my friend Ali bin Sa-
lam, who received me so courteously on my first visit to this country.
2. Two of my companions belonged to the tribe of “ Beni Rasim,”
whose chief town, “ El Wafee,” I had been informed was the most flourish
ing in the district of Jahlan. They invited me to visit them, which I pro
mised to do, and then parted. Having arrived in the Beni-boo-Hassan town,
I proceeded direct to Ali bin Salam’s house: he was out at the time,
but a hundred messengers were soon in search of him with the news of
Salam’s (my travelling name) arrival, and in a few minutes he made his
appearance. All the town soon heard the report, and, as usual, an im-