Page 93 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

74 SMERM TO SINAI. [CH.

did not halt. He persevered, however, and,
to my no small surprise, on coming up, pre­
sented me with a small parcel, containing
a sextant, which had been dropped on the
road. I felt the more delighted with his ho­
nesty and attention, because he was unknown
to any of our party. On offering him a pre­
sent, he refused it, and, when I again pressed
it on his acceptance, he turned and walked

away. In savage life it has been remarked,
that great virtues occasionally approach to
great vices; and the casuist may amuse him­

self with tracing the impulses and feelings
which can urge these men—in some instances
professedly robbers—to exercise in others the
most scrupulous honesty.
Hence our route continued more to the
northward, still ascending by a winding and
extensive valley called Wadi Garat. Pre­

sently we caught a glimpse of Mowilahh, a
high peak, bearing south-east by south. We
passed many streams of water and numerous
date-palms. I could not help remarking, as
a singularity, that the lower branches of these
=;
trees were not removed annually, as is usual
at Tor and other parts of Arabia; here they