158 LIFE WITH THE H AMR AN ARABS. 



of these people. He says they are the enemies of both 

 Abyssinians and Hamrans, and that the Settite bounds 

 their territory on one side. They have a Sheik, and live 

 in houses made of straw when undisturbed ; but on the 

 supposed approach of an enemy they burn these and 

 retire into holes in the ground. They always keep a 

 careful watch from their hills, fearing an attack from 

 Abyssinians or Hamrans, to whom they are equally 

 hostile, and all their stores of grain are kept far inland 

 as a means of protection, whither their wives and children 

 are sent as occasion may require. They have cattle, 

 sheep, and goats, but no camels ; and almost their only 

 trade is in seed and honey, which they send to a village 

 situated on the outskirts of their territory, partly inhabited 

 by their people and under the protection of Egypt 

 Their clothing consists of a skin round the waist, and 

 their weapon of war is a spear. Their attacks are al- 

 ways made most stealthily and by night, and they will 

 fight to the death. 



From the way they retire into their underground 

 homes, it is almost impossible to find them in their own 

 country, so if the Hamrans want to fight them they 

 wait for the month after the termination of the rains,, 

 when they come down to the river-side to feed their 

 cattle. The Abyssinians seldom attack them, and when 

 they do so it is only to obtain slaves from amongst their 

 women and children. Essafi declares that the Hamrans 



