DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4996#0177
SLOPE OF WADY GHTJRTJNDEL. 145
theoretical views, I trust I am but performing an act of justice
to M. B., in thus attesting the truth of his observations on this
particular point. It is, however, much to be desired, as observed by-
Sir G. Wilkinson, that an accurate trigonometrical survey of the
peninsula should be executed.
We encamped this evening at the mouth of Wady Ghurundel.
Burckhardt and Laborde give the direction of this valley through
the eastern mountains as north-north-west, which has very naturally
led others to suppose that its waters, on issuing into the Arabah,
continue on the same line towards the Dead Sea; but this, as I
have before said, is prevented by the dividing range of hills before
alluded to, and the torrent accordingly bends round, and its waters,
taking the general slope of the Arabah southward, fall into the Gulf
of Akaba, so at least it appeared to me, and so the Arabs repeatedly
affirmed.
The ruins apparently of a small town, stand on the top of a
cliff at the southern entrance of Wady Ghurundel; and at a short
distance above is a little oasis of grass and reeds, with a solitary
palm-tree, picturesquely overhanging it, and a few small pools of
water.
Next day was one of disasters. Our progress down the Arabah
was very toilsome ; Komeh and myself got astray among vast
heaps of loose drifting sand : towards evening we reached the edge
of the Marsh El Ghudyan—the clouds began to gather over the
eastern mountains, and to threaten a storm—welcome indeed to the
Bedouin shepherd, as bringing in its train the long-desired pastur-
age for his flocks ; but not altogether so agreeable to the traveller,
who carries his house, clothes, and bedding on a camel's back, ex-
posed to be drenched through and through, as well as himself, a
prospect full of aguish and rheumatic apprehensions. Here our
pieces of oil-cloth, proved highly serviceable; the tents and
mattress were hastily covered over; but, alas ! there were no cords
to keep the covering steady; and, descending myself, I planted my
Arab guide on the top, with directions to keep his legs astride, and
hold down the corners as well as he could, as a little rain, I was well
ii
theoretical views, I trust I am but performing an act of justice
to M. B., in thus attesting the truth of his observations on this
particular point. It is, however, much to be desired, as observed by-
Sir G. Wilkinson, that an accurate trigonometrical survey of the
peninsula should be executed.
We encamped this evening at the mouth of Wady Ghurundel.
Burckhardt and Laborde give the direction of this valley through
the eastern mountains as north-north-west, which has very naturally
led others to suppose that its waters, on issuing into the Arabah,
continue on the same line towards the Dead Sea; but this, as I
have before said, is prevented by the dividing range of hills before
alluded to, and the torrent accordingly bends round, and its waters,
taking the general slope of the Arabah southward, fall into the Gulf
of Akaba, so at least it appeared to me, and so the Arabs repeatedly
affirmed.
The ruins apparently of a small town, stand on the top of a
cliff at the southern entrance of Wady Ghurundel; and at a short
distance above is a little oasis of grass and reeds, with a solitary
palm-tree, picturesquely overhanging it, and a few small pools of
water.
Next day was one of disasters. Our progress down the Arabah
was very toilsome ; Komeh and myself got astray among vast
heaps of loose drifting sand : towards evening we reached the edge
of the Marsh El Ghudyan—the clouds began to gather over the
eastern mountains, and to threaten a storm—welcome indeed to the
Bedouin shepherd, as bringing in its train the long-desired pastur-
age for his flocks ; but not altogether so agreeable to the traveller,
who carries his house, clothes, and bedding on a camel's back, ex-
posed to be drenched through and through, as well as himself, a
prospect full of aguish and rheumatic apprehensions. Here our
pieces of oil-cloth, proved highly serviceable; the tents and
mattress were hastily covered over; but, alas ! there were no cords
to keep the covering steady; and, descending myself, I planted my
Arab guide on the top, with directions to keep his legs astride, and
hold down the corners as well as he could, as a little rain, I was well
ii