Mahaffa

"... as Mrs. — was too much of an invalid to travel, in the usual manner, upon the back of the camel, a Mahaffa was procured for her. This Mahaffa answers for a carriage among the grandees and princesses of Arabia, and is of such simple and rude construction as none but the unprogressive Arab would tolerate; and yet perhaps it answers the purpose for which it is designed better than any thing more artistic. It consists of two boxes, about five or six feet long, and three or four wide... Over the rough sticks was thrown a patchwork covering, intended for an awning... the apartments are roomy enough to contain several persons, but the strength of a single camel would not be adequate to so great a burden. One person on each side is the allotted weight, and the individual who is destined to be shaken and tortured has the option of being stowed between cushions and pillows... or to take the motion the natural way on bare boards."