Page 203 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

184 COAST OF A It A HIA. [CH.

appearance. The coast is partly fronted with
steep overhanging cliffs of coral and sand­
stone, From their base, to the distance of
about forty yards, extends a level band of
rocks, the outer part of which is nearly dry,
and rises like a wall from an almost unfathom­

able depth; against this the sea, meeting
with a resistance so abrupt, breaks with some
violence, and produces a considerable surf,
which would render landing on the inter­
mediate coast between the sherms almost im­
practicable.
Sherm Wej-li is a small cove, affording
excellent anchorage and shelter for a small
vessel. Some soldiers from the neighbouring
fort, and a few Arabs of the Huteimi tribe,
reside here in huts erected under overhanging
cliffs on its northern side. They gain a toler­
able subsistence from supplying the Hajj
boats with fresh provisions and water. The

former consist of sheep, goats, g’hi, honey,
salt-fish, &c., all of which being here good
and cheap, considerable quantities are dis­
posed of. The latter, besides being plentiful,
and procurable at a moderate rate at all sea­
sons, is far better than what is elsewhere to be