Page 114 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

V-] SHERM TO SINAI. 95

not far from which stands another rude
building of similar dimensions. Both were
formerly occupied by the monks; but they

are now abandoned, and rapidly falling to
decay. In the latter, they pointed to a hole
in the rock, which Moses is said to have im­
pressed by retreating backwards, awed by
the sight of the Lord. Continuing our route
from this halting place by a path still more
rugged and steep than before, in about forty-
five minutes we arrived at the summit, which

is the apex of a peak not more than fifty yards
broad at its widest part.

The height of this point has been erro­
neously estimated at 7200 feet above the con­
vent; but we ascertained its altitude from
two points within the sea of ’Akabah; one
giving 7530, and the other 7480 above the
level of the sea: 2500 feet is its greatest
elevation above the convent.
In the eastern side of the platform, which
forms the summit, there stands a church, un­

occupied and in ruins. It appears to have
been constructed with the material of some
yet older edifice. Tradition points this out
as the spot where Moses received the Deca-