Page 79 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

60 SHERM TO SINAI. [cii.

generally work up to this cape, whence, if
they have a fair wind, they run at once to
Kosai'r*, or otherwise they wait until they
obtain one. Travellers journeying to Suez

would do well to adopt this route during
the prevalence of north-westerly breezes,
here frequently of many days’ duration, and
rendering a passage through the Straits of
Jabal, and up the sea of Suez, both tedious
and dangerous.
Another advantage would be gained by
those so disposed, in the opportunity presented
of visiting the Monastery of Sinai, which may
be approached from Slierrn by two routes, viz.
Derb Warah, very indifferent, and in many
places scarcely passable, but preferred by
the Bedowins in consequence of the abun­

dant herbage it yields, or Derb Kedd, not
only considerably shorter, but the ascent,
with the exception of one pass, is gradual
through valleys of firm sand. The journey,
by the latter route, is estimated at two days
and a half, and the cost of a single camel
thence and back is four dollars.

It is erroneously supposed that Mount Sinai
* That is, “ the little castle.”