Page 226 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XI.] COAST OF ARABIA. 207

distinguished by the peculiarities of these
marks.
Between the beach and the Radwah range

of mountains there is a group of dark-coloured
1
hills, elevated generally about five hundred
feet. The intermediate valleys are filled
with light-coloured sand, which appears to
have been driven up from the adjoining De­
sert by strong westerly breezes. The same
appearance is observable in the Sea of Suez,
and on other parts of the Arabian shore. The
coast continues of the same character from
this point to Sherm Yembo’, which is free from

all dangers, either inside or at the entrance,
sufficiently capacious, and may be easily dis­

tinguished. It is incomparably the best har­
bour on the coast, having soundings near the
entrance, where a vessel, if becalmed, might
anchor—an advantage possessed by few others.
Sailing vessels apprehensive of entering the
sherm may anchor outside, and obtain supplies
from Yembo’ either by land or boat-carriage.
The Arabs are of the Johe’inah tribe, and may
be safely trusted.
As Jiddah is considered to be the port of
Mecca, so may Yembo’, for the same reasons,