GOVERNMENT OF ARABIA. 183 



in the mountains. From 500 to 600 horsemen con- 

 stitute the utmost force of all the Sherkyeh tribes. 

 Some years ago, if their own reports are to be cre- 

 dited,, they could muster at least 3000 ; but their 

 numbers have been considerably reduced by their 

 wars with the Pasha of Egypt, who at present le- 

 vies a tribute on them, and observes their move- 

 ments with so much vigilance that they are not 

 even permitted to make war upon each other, 

 the most galling restriction under which an Arab 

 can be placed. 



On the eastern coast of the Gulf, the Bedouins 

 extend from the deserts of Akaba to the northern 

 confines of Yemen. The Beni Okaba, and the El 

 Bily, possess the small town of Moilah and the 

 neighbouring country. The Hateym are one of the 

 most widely dispersed of all these wandering hordes. 

 In Syria, in Lower and Upper Egypt, along the 

 Tehama, in Nejed and Mesopotamia, encampments 

 of them are always to be found. They are despised 

 as a mean race, with whom the other Bedouins re- 

 fuse to intermarry ; and for one man to call another 

 a Hateymi is considered an unpardonable insult. 

 The great tribe of the Jeheyne inhabit the coun- 

 try round Yembo, and constitute the chief portion 

 of its population. They are much addicted to war, 

 and can raise a force amounting to 8000 match- 

 locks. They acknowledge a nominal allegiance to 

 the Sheriff of Mecca, and, like all the other tribes 

 southward of Akaba, are entitled to the surra or 

 passage-money from the Egyptian pilgrims. 



The Beni Shammar inhabit the mountains of that 

 name, and are mortal enemies to the Aenezes. They 

 are subdivided into numerous branches., some of 



