Page 59 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

40 TOR TO SUEZ. [cm.

those of Marah. 1 had dismounted from my
camel, and having taken some in my hand,

was repeating half aloud this supposition,
when my Bedovvin caught the last word of
the sentence, “ Marah,” and observed, “ You
speak the words of truth; they are indeed
murah
Around the two fountains, which are situ­
ated at but a few yards from the road, there
are a few stumped palms. After quitting this
spot, we entered on a broad plain, so level,
that its horizon would answer as well for as­

tronomical observations as that of the sea;
crossing in our progress the valleys of Wadan
and Sidir, the beds of which are also but
little below the general level. The whole of
this tract, from Howara to Ayoun Musa, is,
in consequence of its being destitute of water
and pasturage, in great disrepute with the
Bedowins. Towards sunset we drew towards
those fountains; but while yet at a distance
of four miles, our camels stretched out their

long necks, increased their pace, and showed
other symptoms of being conscious that they

* “ Murah/’ is the Arabic for bitter.