Of course they carry weapons.

No one would travel about, with merchandise, without doing so." "They may be all right, Ibrahim, but I have a sort of feeling that they are not, and at any rate, it is best to be cautious." The other party did not light a fire, but sat down and ate some provisions they carried with them.

When Surajah and Dick had finished their meal, the leader again strolled over to them.

He asked whether they intended to sleep, and on hearing that they did not, he again sat down with them.

He proceeded to discuss trading matters, to describe the goods he carried, the places where he had purchased them, and the prices he had given.
As he talked, Dick noticed that three or four of the others came across.