Page 25 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

0 TOR TO SUEZ. [CH.

same coast, where now the Ababdi and Ma-
liazi pitch their tents, the Icthyophagi, de­
scribed by Agath arch ides, were found. But
it would be endless to enumerate the places,
or to allude to the circumstances, which com­

bine to cast a spell over the shores of the
1 Red Sea; I shall therefore proceed to other

subjects.
A few days after our arrival at the Straits,
a continuation of tempestuous weather com­
pelled us to put into Tor for shelter; and it
was arranged there, that I should proceed
overland to Suez, with the dispatches in­
trusted to our charge.

Owing to the security of its harbours, and
the excellent water obtained in its vicinity,
Tor is much frequented by ships and boats
proceeding to or returning from Suez. Its
position, as the nearest port to the entrance
of the Straits of Jabal, is also advantageous;
and we find, in consequence, that it attracted
the attention of the early Portuguese navi­
gators, who, under Don Juan de Castro, took
possession of and fortified it. Of these works
nothing now remains; but the ruins of a small
castle, constructed at nearly the same period