Page 169 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

150 SURVEY OF THK [cii.

lowing morning abreast the vessel we re-
ceived several sheep. On board, their de­
meanour was very quiet, but on their passage
to the shore, they contrived to quarrel and
fight about the articles they had received in
I exchange. A southerly wind setting in on

this sea produces a singular effect: the first
intimation we received of its approach arose
from witnessing the dust and sand from the
1 shore on the lower part of the sea carried up

in clouds, resembling in form and appearance
the smoke produced immediately after the
discharge of a number of pieces of cannon.
As these rolled onwards, they gradually ex­
panded until the whole range of mountains
on the Sinai side was hidden from view. The
sand on these occasions is nearly impalpable,
and so subtle, that it is with difficulty we pre­
vent its reaching the works of our chro­

nometers. None of the humidity observable
in other portions of the Red Sea with a
southerly wind is experienced here; but on
the contrary, the air is parched and dry.
Nawe'ibi, on the opposite, that is to say,
the Sinai shore, was our next station ; where
there is a narrow slip of land covered with

m