Page 87 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

68 SHGRM TO SI NAT. [CH.

sheds its flood of splendour over each naked,
smooth, and shining precipice; and often
strongly contrasts with the gloomy shadow
which overhangs the path of white sand
at their base. The mind then recalls the
wanderings of the most favoured as well as
the most sinful people under heaven. We fol­
low them winding their way amidst the wilder­

ness ; we picture to ourselves their venerable
bearded old men, their women and children ;
and we mourn over that obduracy so strik­
ingly illustrative of the imperfections of our
nature, which called for such a punishment.
Towards midnight 1 was aroused from these
reflections by our arrival at a steep and slip-
pery pass. After several severe falls, our
camels succeeded in crossing it, with the
exception of one, which it became necessary

to take round by another path. So much
time however was wasted, that I halted there
for the night beneath an overhanging rock,
£
which most probably had sheltered travellers
:! for ages. The night was cold but clear, and
i
=i the stars shone gloriously in the firmament.
I January 1 Oth. At daylight we shared some
| excellent coffee which the Bedowins had pre-
= :
I