Page 72 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

in] t6r TO SINAI. 53

Bedowin encampment, where, shortly after it
was dark, the women suddenly set up a most
dismal screaming. Hastening with our guns
to ascertain the cause, we found a snake
had made its way amidst them, which we
instantly shot. The Bedowins, upon exami­
nation, declared it was of the most venom­

ous kind, and that death generally ensued
an hour after its bite; but snakes are no
novelty to those who have been in India, and
the Arabs were astonished at the indifference
we exhibited in handling it. Our Arab guide
stood at a distance of several yards, exhorting
us to caution, and with his sword drawn to
defend himself from its approach. I do not

recollect that mention has been made by any
traveller of snakes being found in this part of
Arabia, though Burckhardt speaks of them
on the eastern shore of the peninsula.
At 9*30, the night being clear and serene,
with a fine moon, we continued our journey,
and at 12* 10, halted at the foot of a pass,
where there was a small pool of water.
Friday, September ttrd. At 5*45 we walked
up the acclivity, which is of such moderate
steepness, that it was unnecessary to descend