Page 134 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)

VII.] GULF OF ’AKABAH. 115

’Al&y&n of the Howeitat tribe, whose autho­

rity is acknowledged in these regions. He
arrived to-day, and, after receiving several
presents, proceeded by land to Magnah,
where he was to await our arrival, and then
concert measures for our further progress.
The wind having in some measure taken
off, we shook hands with those on board, and
started in our bugala. However, in the mid­
dle of the night the gale returned with all
its former fury, and we were compelled, at a

great risk, to stand in towards the shore, and
seek an anchorage amidst the rocks. The
following morning we reached to within eight
miles of Magnah, with a light wind; but be­
yond that, we only succeeded by persevering
through a violent gale and some of the most
dangerous seas I have ever encountered. The
best ship’s boat which ever swam would not
have lived five minutes in the swell we encoun­
tered. It was literally a sea of breakers; for,
as the wind increased, the waves rose in long
parallel ridges, so hollow and deep, and fol­

lowing each other in such rapid succession,
that, although our bugal& had been selected
for her superior qualities as a sea-boat, long
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