Page 212 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

x.] COAST OF ARABIA. 193

hatred which has ever existed between the
Arab and the Turk, continues unabated; and
the latter here adopted a curious mode of dis­
playing it. Not a skin of water would they
supply to Turkish pilgrims until our vessel
was filled, notwithstanding a much higher
price was offered by them: while in con­
verse with us, either party reviled the other,
as the most debased and worthless of their
species. At the conclusion of the last century,

good water was considered to be so scarce on
the Red Sea, that vessels from India accom­

panying the expedition were freighted solely
with it. The wells which furnish a supply at
this port were renewed by Ibrahim Pacha in
1524; and its quality both here, and in many
other parts of the eastern shores, is as sweet
as can be desired.
Quitting Wej-h, we ran down to the adjoin­
ing Sherm ’Abb an, which is sheltered from
all winds (being completely land-locked),
and has good anchorage for three or four
vessels. Inside, near the entrance, there are
several rocky patches which may be easily

distinguished by the discoloration of the water.
Fresh water may be obtained here in small
VOL. II. o