Page 113 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

!)4 SHERM TO SINAI. [CH.

profusion, and many other fruits and vege­
tables. The principal part is consumed by
the monks, and the remainder is sent to
Cairo. The Bedowins formerly scaled the
garden walls, and pilfered the greater portion
of its contents; but Mohammed Ali having

now taken the convent under his protection,
the monks are entirely freed from this and
other outrages to which they were formerly
subjected. VVe commenced ascending close at
the back of the convent by some rude steps
which reach from the base to the summit of
the mountain; and though much worn from
age and the rush of the mountain torrent, they
still greatly facilitate the fatiguing and dan­
gerous ascent. After climbing about 500 feet,
we halted for a few minutes at a deliciously
cool spring of water, and then continued our

progress till fatigue again induced us to rest
upon a small piece of table-land. This has
also its spring, and, growing near it, is a tall
cypress, from which pilgrims, as a relic, cut
a branch. Our Bedowins called it the summit
of Jebel Horeb ; and we were here shown a rude
chapel, of square form, constructed chiefly of
wood, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary—