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[?Twin?] of the hungry Musquito. annoy the weary traveler and at night the bright flashes of the fire flies still tells that even the air is full of animation, every spot of ground, seems to produced [sic] something nothing can be seen but life animation and verdure on all sides, and still these gifts of nature are abused, On the Morning after our arrival went on shore to water ship, also made up a party to visit the sultan of Muscat, whose palace was near the ship. The old man met us out side of the palace at the gate and shook hands with us after the custom of the Arabs. we found his guards ready to receive us with the usual honors. passing thro his front yard and tho [sic] a large hall we found ourselves in his audience chamber, After conversing with the Sultan tho [sic] an interpreter, he treated us with coffe {sic] and the famous sherbit which we read of in the Arabian Nights. the audience chamber was a rough stone hall with marble pavements rough chairs and a few english engravings hanging around the room there was large niches in the walls which a kentucky Negro would think were intended to put closets or cupboards up in. He kindly invited us to come and dine with him the next day we accepted the invitation (The palace is a rough the substantial building built entirely of stone) The Sultan is a man of about 50 to[sic] he looks nearer 80 (he has 80 wives or concubines. I suppose this is what makes him look so old.) Near the palace is a large dow building by the sultans order. She is composed of Teak wood which is as lasting as live oak. on landing the second time opposite the sultans palace I found the windows crowded with curious gazers. curious to see the Americans. they were the Sultans wives some of them quite pretty for they graciously unmasked themselves that we might see them. tho it was at the distance of a 3 story window iron bound and barred, the Mid struck the natives with Amazement and fright when taking off our hats we made several polite bows to the fair prisoners, for a native to have done this would have been death or imprisonment. I have called them fair but, they were of all colors, white black red-copper yellow-tan - yellow-orange, and I expect a dozen others different shades and colors back of the palace are beautiful groves of green Mangrove trees Whilst a cool [crossed out: rushing] brook rolls its clear waters under their shades. flower and roses are innumerable and thick luxurient grass green and pleasant to the eye and to the feet spreads on every side as a rich carpet