I knew that all those Arabs were nomads or wandering people of the desert and the ruler was their Chieftain. They had no land and everyone carried guns which they used as they liked and any one could kill me if they wanted. I knew that I should be very careful. I told the Political Agent that he should get a guarantee for the safety of both Thangam and myself. Again I emphasized that the Ruler who was over 50 year of age could be in a very serious condition, as he had been un-conscious for such a long time and I had very little hope of saving his life. After realizing and accepting those facts they still wanted me to go I agreed to accompany them. At that time, Quatar was under the British influence, and so it was for the British Political Agent to get the necessary assurances from those people.

Soon we got ready. I took three helpers from the Hospital along with the necessary medicines and the usual equipment.

Quatar was only about 40 miles away, about Three to four hours by a good motorboat to reach The shores of their country. Good American cars and trucks were waiting for us. The evening was fast approaching merging on to night. 

The country was just a desert, not a green leaf or any green vegetation was to be seen anywhere. There was just sand and sand on all sides. There were no roads. Every vehicle had a guide arid the vehicle in front was occupied by security guards. We just traveled for two to three hours and then we saw in the distance a cluster of lights in the desert. As we got nearer we could see tents, several of them clustered to-gether. A few shrubs and camels and sheep were also visible. In The middle of the desert there was this small oasis which the hunting party had used as their base.

This was a very interesting and unique experience which, I believe, one could not come across these days. Those places are now converted into modern big town. The oil boom had made it possible. The Sheik was in a tent lying on a carpeted floor. He was surrounded by many men and women (women covered completely with their black Burka) crowding the tent. Before getting into that tent I told the eldest son of the Sheik that the tent should be cleared of all The people except 3 or 4 persons. Soon everyone got out, except two women in one corner (probably his wife and her slave) and two or three men. As I entered the tent I could get the smell of diabetic acidosis. While I was getting an I. V. started, he was catheterized. As we tested him my diagnosis was confined and ‘instituted standard treatment for diabetic coma.

Meanwhile, they had organized for our stay in two tents, one near the Sheik’s tent for Thangam and me, and another one for my helpers. They served imported fruits with their special coffee, Fortunately we had no other problem and he started to move his limbs after about twelve hours, I was up most of the night. When ‘went to sleep one of my helpers was keeping watch. 

Gradually by the evening he regained consciousness. Then he looked up and saw me and he immediately asked his son who.’ was to which his son replied that I came from Bahrain and I was the Indian Doctor who was treating him . At that time I was holding his hand. He raised my hand and kissed it. Immediately there was a commotion-everyone including his sons were trying to kiss my feet. That, I believe, was a custom in those days to show respect and regard. From that time for another five days till we went back to Bahrain we were treated like members of the family. During that week I had examined, advised and treated many patients. 

The day before we left them they held a formal dinner in their traditional manner. After the dinner he spoke, thanked me and said he wanted to give a good gift. He said that he had selected forty of his people, 20 men and 20 women as slaves, for me and requested me to accept the gift. The slaves were their valuable possessions. 

I told him that in Bahrain there could not be any slaves, but he said that these people had been well chosen and they would not leave me. I accepted on condition that if they came with me, it would have to be their own choice and that they world be granted freedom. Freedom would entail the need for maintaining themselves. When they heard my conditions, they pre-ferred slavery to freedom.