156 
ninsula of Arabia; but they obtain nitre and saltpetre in 
their own country. 
The costume of the Wehhabites is similar to that of 
the other Arabs. I remarked that only the two sons of 
Saaoud wore long hair, as an emblem of royalty. I was 
often told that the Sultan displays great luxury; but I 
observed him as naked as the rest at the period of the 
pilgrimage. 
Draaiya, the capital of the Wehhabites, is a consi- 
derable town, situated nearly 130 leagues to the east of 
Medina, 100 leagues to the south-south- west of Basso- 
ra, and 160 leagues to the south-east of Jerusalem. 
TheBahareinn Islands, where the pearl fishery of the 
Persian Gulph is carried on, are under the dominion of. 
Saaoud, and are situated fifty leagues to the east |- north- 
east of Draaiya- The river Aftan, which runs at four- 
teen leagues distance to the south-east of Draaiya, 
empties itself near the Bahareinn Isles. 
According to the report of the Wehhabites, their 
capital is situated at the foot of very high mountains; 
their country abounds in grain, and every other article 
of life; and the houses are built of stone. 
The Wehhabites have no military organization. All 
their tactics consist in forming themselves into squa- 
drons, under the direction of a chief, and in following 
his movements, without order, and without forming 
ranks; but their discipline is truly Spartan, and their 
obedience extreme; for the least sign from their chiefs 
suffices to impose silence upon them, and to make them 
submit to the greatest fatigues. 
Their civil organization is in no better state than 
their military: they have no person in office, nor any 
superior or inferior courts. Each Scheik, or chief of a 
tribe, is responsible for the payment of the tenth, and 
