Page 94 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

1V.J SHITUM TO SINAI. 75

are permitted to dry on the trunk, giving them
a neglected appearance, although it is pos­
sible that the barrier which they form may
be necessary for their protection against the
cold bleak winds of these regions. About an
hour afterwards we arrived at a mountain-

pass almost inaccessible. Our camels wound
their way with the utmost difficulty over or
between the huge masses which everywhere
obstruct the descent. Camels are not un-
frequently supposed to be only adapted for
sandy or level tracts; but I have observed,
both here and in other parts, provided the
rocks possess a certain degree of roughness,
that in sureness of step they are surpassed by

no animals except mules. The Bedowins
never goad them, nor use any other excite­

ment than the voice. On reaching the foot
of the pass about sunset, we halted, and our
camels were permitted to stray in search of
pasturage, which is here found in clustering
patches in great abundance. Their lively

green affords a striking and pleasing relief to
the general scene of barrenness around—a
solitary antelope,—“ the wild gazelle,”—which
bounds off as soon as discovered, being the
only living thing seen there.