Page 198 - Arabian Studies (II)

190 Arabian Studies II
extent of three or four acres, was surrounded by a wall,
varying in height and built by the Turks. There were
apparently three fortifications, to the last of which, on the
very top, they might retreat on the others being taken
possession of, and still cause great annoyance to the
assailants. There is also a tank, in a good state of preser­
vation, for containing rain-water as a supply for the garrison,
Albuquerque is said to have been driven from before this
place with the loss of two thousand men.2 0
From the summit of Seera, we had a good view of the
town and surrounding mountains, the camp of the Eur. Regt.
to the right at the base of a hill, the battery manned by the
Golandores or native artillery in the centre close to it, Major
Bailie’s21 quarters at a mosque surmounted by a minaret; to
the left, the Southern pass, the Friday mosque, tenanted by
the 24th N.I, also supported by a minaret; in the far back
ground Hydoor’s Mosque with its white dome; and nearer,
the mass of houses, mingled with white tents belonging to the
camp followers. Aden contained 600 inhabitants before
hostilities commenced, of whom 250 were Jews, 50 Banyans,
and the remainder Arabs. It is said to have contained an
immense population in former times, as is evident from the
innumerable tombs spread over the plain.
In descending, we repassed the channel and were just in
time at the tent to hear the First bugle sounded for getting
ready for dinner.
After dinner proceeded with Stack to Captain Haines’ and
thence for a walk. Ascended the minaret near Major Bailie’s
quarters by a winding staircase within. There was a great deal
of dust and rubbish fallen into it, having been struck by a
shot or two. We merely gained a different view of the town
by the ascent.
Visited Hydoor’s mosque, the court and outbuildings of
which had been used as a place of refuge by the women, Jews
etc on the day of the attack. The mosque is surrounded on
one side by a sort of covered grave-yard, where a number of
wooden tombs covered with Arabic inscriptions were con­
structed. Into this the priests2 2 remaining there allowed us to
enter shod, but when we wished to enter the sanctum
sanctorum they requested us to take our shoes off, which we
complied with, a practice strictly conformable with that
mentioned in the Old Testament. The greater portion of the
interior was taken up with tombs, in the middle was that ot
Hydoor, the founder, on each side of which was one covered
with green silk, betokening that beneath lay the remains of a
descendant of the prophet. His own wooden tomb was
covered with red silk, ornamented with gold lace. The other