ABSTRACT
Captain Bird occupied a low-built, Moorish type of building on the shore of Sharjah creek. It had a pleasant trellised veranda running the full length of the house, and in the hot weather it was a great relief to sit there and enjoy the sea breezes. The only disadvantage was that one got the smells as well, the town being a short distance from the house. An enclosed courtyard, guarded by an immense door of decorated sandalwood, before which sat an Arab sentry, divided the residence into two parts; on the left was the residential and domestic quarter, whilst on the right were the Government offices.
