[p.489] by a narrow defile about forty feet in breadth, with
perpendicular granite rocks on both sides. The ground is covered with
sand and pebbles, brought down by the torrent which rushes from the
upper region in the winter time. In a broader part of the pass an
insulated rock, about five feet high, with a kind of naturally formed
seat, is shewn as a place upon which Moses once reposed, whence it has
the name of Mokad Seidna Mousa [Arabic]; the Bedouins keep it covered
with green or dry herbs, and some of them kiss it, or touch it with
their hands, in passing by. Beyond it the valley opens, the mountains on
both sides diverge from the road, and the Wady el Sheikh continues in a
S. direction with a slight ascent. A little to the east, from hence, is
the well called Bir Mohsen [Arabic]. After continuing in the Wady for an
hour beyond the defile, we entered a narrow inlet in the eastern chain,
and rested near a spring called Abou Szoueyr [Arabic]. At four hours and
a half was a small walled plantation of tobacco, with some fruit trees,
and onions, cultivated by some of the Bedouins Oulad Said. In the
afternoon we crossed the mountain by a by-path, fell again into the Wady
el Sheikh, and at the end of eight hours from our setting out in the
morning reached the tomb of Sheikh Szaleh [Arabic], from which the whole
valley takes its name. The coffin of the Sheikh is deposited in a small
rude stone building; and is surrounded by a thin partition of wood, hung
with green cloth, upon which several prayers are embroidered. On the
walls are suspended silk tassels, handkerchiefs, ostrich eggs, camel
halters, bridles, &c. the offerings of the Bedouins who visit this tomb.
I could not learn exactly the history of this Sheikh Szaleh: some said
that he was the forefather of the tribe of Szowaleha; others, the great
Moslem prophet Szaleh, sent to the tribe of Thamoud, and who is
mentioned in the Koran; and others, again, that he was a local saint,
which I believe to be the truth. Among