Page 92 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

>v.j SHKRM TO SINAI. 73

lock in the whole peninsula of Sinai. The
sheep are small, and their flesh by no means
well tasted.
The Bedowins who dwell in the hills ap­
pear to be a hardy race, stouter and more
muscular than those of the coast—a distinc­

tion no doubt originating in a superior climate
and more wholesome water,—both, near the
sea-shore, being very indifferent. The moun­
tain Arabs also live much better, and with
less exertion, than their brethren of the plain.
The chief occupations of the former are con­
fined to the care of their herds, the cultivation
of the date-tree, and manufacturing charcoal,
which they dispose of at Suez and Cairo.
The latter derive a subsistence by hiring
themselves and their beasts for the convey­

ance of pilgrims to and fro between Sherm
and T6r, and also from the latter place to
Suez. Incessant fatigue and indifferent nou­
rishment soon undermine their health.
About an hour after our departure next
morning, a youth was observed following at a

great distance, and calling on our party to
stop; but, as I considered his errand to be
some trifling affair with his countrymen, I