On the shore of this harbour we saw many footsteps of tigers
and goats, as if they had come here in search of water.
[Footnote 327: Rather perhaps Bohalel Shomeh, meaning the lot or
portion of Bohalel. - Astl.]
[Footnote 328: Perhaps Bells. - E.]
Having often occasion to mention the Badwis or Bedouins while
voyaging along the coasts of their country, it may be proper to give
some account of that people. These Badwis are properly the
Troglodites ophiofagi, of whom Ptolemy, Pomponius Mela, and other
ancient writers make mention. These Badwis or Troglodites live on
the mountains and sea-coasts from Melinda and Magadoxa to Cape
Guardafu, and thence all along the coasts of the Red Sea on both
sides, and along the outer coast of Arabia through the whole coast of
the Persian Gulf; all of which land they may be more properly said to
occupy than to inhabit. In Good Arabic, Badwi signifies one who lives
only by cattle[329]. Those who dwell along the Red Sea from Zeyla to
Swakem, and thence to al Kossir, are continually at war with the
Nubii or Nubians; while those from Kossir to Suez perpetually
molest the Egyptians. On the eastern coast of the Red Sea the Badwis
have incessant contests with the Arabians. They are wild men, among whom
there is no king or great lord, but they live in tribes or factions,
allowing of no towns in their country, neither have they any fixed
habitations, but live a vagabond life, wandering from place to place
with their cattle. They abhor all laws and ordinances, neither will they
admit of their differences being judged of by any permanent customs or
traditions, but rather that their sheiks or chiefs shall determine
according to their pleasure. They dwell in caves and holes, but most of
them in tents or huts. In colour they are very black, and their language
is Arabic. They worship Mahomet, but are very bad Mahometans, being
addicted beyond all other people on earth to thievery and rapine. They
eat raw flesh, and milk is their usual drink. Their habits are vile and
filthy; but they run with wonderful swiftness. They fight afoot or on
horseback, darts being their chief weapons, and are almost continually
at war with their neighbours.
[Footnote 329: Badwi, or more properly Badawi, signifies a dweller
in the field or in the desert; corruptly called by us Bedouin. - Astl.]
By day-light of the 10th May we weighed anchor from the port of
Igidid[330], and an hour before sunset we fastened our barks to a
shoal about four leagues south of Farate. In this shoal there is an
excellent harbour, lying almost E.S.E. and W.N.W. but very crooked and
winding, so large that we could not see to the other end.
