SULTAUN EBIN MAHOMED. 7 



white muslin turban, beneath which was a very 

 light Arab skull cap of open wicker-work, made 

 of the mid rib of the palm leaf. Naked to his 

 waist, over the right shoulder and across his chest, 

 was slung a broad belt of amulets, consisting of 

 numerous packages the size of a small cartouche- 

 box, alternately of red cloth and of leather, each of 

 which contained some written charm against every 

 evil that he feared, or for every desirable good. A 

 common checked cotton fotah, or cloth, reaching to 

 the knees, was fastened around his middle by a 

 leathern belt, in which was secured a very handsome 

 sword of silver, and completed his dress. In his 

 hand he held a light spear, that served to support 

 his long spare figure as he walked, or sometimes to 

 chastise a rebellious urchin, or vituperative female 

 of his household, by dropping the heavily iron 

 tipped end not very gently on their heads and 

 shoulders. But little attention was paid to him by 

 his tribe beyond the simple acknowledgment of him 

 as their chief, and the title was only valuable 

 as a legal excuse for demanding from merchants 

 and strangers some paltry present, which alone con- 

 stitutes, as far as I could observe, the revenue of 

 the state of Tajourah. 



Beyond the limits of the town, the authority of 

 the Sultaun was disclaimed ; and, in fact, it was very 

 evident that to hold quiet possession of the town, a 

 species of black mail was extorted from him and 

 the inhabitants by the Bedouins of the surrounding 

 country. 



