Page 126 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

VII.] 107

CHAPTER VII.

SURVEY OF THE GULF OF ’AKABAH.

Rds Furtak—Width of the Channel—Splendid Prospect—Val­
leys—Description of the Gulf—Ancient Appellations—Diodo­
rus-Remarkable Appearance of the Shore—Indications of bad
Weather—Desert Coast —Exploring Expedition — Interview
with the Natives—Bedowin Gratitude—Anecdote—Date Groves
—Author in danger of being lost—Miraculous Escape—The
Survey—Sheikh of Howe'itdt—Dangerous Sivell—Breakers—
The Bagala—Arab Helmsman—Reply to Arab Chiefs—Sa­
tisfactory Explanation—Seizure of our Pilot—Attempted Ex­
tortion—Contempt of Mohammed Ali—Arab Faith—Magnah
—Price of Blood—Marriage Ceremony—Quit the Gulf—Myos
—Hormus.

On the 4th of January, 1833, we beat through
the narrow channel* formed by the island of
Tir&n and Ras Furtak, into the sea of’Akabah.
Though it blew strong, a couple of native
fishing-boats hovered around us, anxious pro­

bably to ascertain what object we had in view
in prosecuting our researches beyond the route

* About one mile wide at its narrowest part..