Page 64 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)

III.] TON TO SINAI. 45

CHAPTER III.

JOURNEY FROM TOR TO SINAI.

Start from T6r—El Wadi—Fierce debate—Arab quarrels—El
Ka&—Botany—Gumma Torrce—Mountains—Sir F. Hennikcr
— Manna described by a Jewish Rabbi — Game — Bedowin
Encampnient—Snakes—Anecdote—Mountain pass—Arrival at
the Convent.

SepL2lst, 1836. Mounting, with my baggage,
on some camels which had been prepared for
me, I quitted Tor to revisit, after a lapse of
three years, my friends at Sinai. We halted
at El Wadi for a short time to fill up our

water-skins. As several tribes are connected
with the conveyance of merchandize or pas­

sengers through the peninsula, disputes are
constantly occurring. We had, for instance,
a fierce debate this morning: swords were
drawn, and a most furious clamour ensued.
The Arabs, however, though noisy and vio­
lent in their gestures, seldom fall to blows,
and become easily pacified ; and it is remark­

able that, notwithstanding their sensitiveness