Page 90 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

ii
IV.] SUE KM TO SINAI. 71

hill by a road so exceedingly steep and rugged,
that it was with the utmost diiliculty that our
camels, after being deprived of half their lug­
gage, which we carried ourselves, could be
got over. About three miles from the summit
of this hill we passed aBedowin encampment,
the first we had met since leaving the coast.
They behaved with great civility, and sup­

plied us with abundance of milk, for which
they refused any remuneration. Their arms
were the jambir and matchlock. The former
is applied to various other purposes besides
a weapon of defence. With it they are very
dexterous in slaying and skinning their sheep,
for the whole affair does not occupy more
than ten minutes. After the hide has been
taken off, the carcase and head are deposited

in it, when not required for immediate use.
Their mode of cooking, though certainly very
primitive, impressed us with no favourable
idea of their cleanliness. A hole is dug in
the sand, around the bottom and sides of
which some stones are placed, and a fire is
then lighted within. When these are suffi­
ciently heated, they remove the embers, and
introduce their meat, which they cover over