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CONTENTS.
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Wâdy el Ain.—Strange conduct of English engineers.—Apparent attempt to forestall our party.—Bernhard Heilpern is dispatched to Akabah by forced marches.—Jebel el Aradeh.—Entrance of the Wâdy el Tîhyeh.—Wells in sandstone rock.—March towards the table-land of the Tîhpages 58–61.
Region of the Tîh.—Disappearance of the limestone escarpment.—Dislocations of the strata.—Desert partridges.—Ibraham's views about Bedawins.—The Sheikh prefers not to "settle down."—The story of the Dabour tribe.—Camp in the Thieves' Valley.—Extensive pasturage.—Coldness of the morning air.—Escarpment of Turf-er-Rukn.—Ridge of porphyry.—Great fault in the strata.—The Haj Road.—Descent to the shores of the Gulf of Akabah.—We find our tents pitched behind the palm-grove.—Bernhard Heilpern has been successful.—Interview with Sheikh Mahomed.—The Sheikh's brother Ali.—Negotiations for convoy along the Arabah Valley.—A hitch occurs in the terms.—Mahomed is resolute.—Sealing the "Instrument." —Prospect of going to Gaza.—Great disappointment.—We dismiss our Towâra guides with presentspages 62–70.
Description of Akabah.—The Elath of the Bible.—Palm trees.—Position of Ezion Geber.—Waters of the gulf, shelly gravel of the beach.—Natural fertility of the soil.—Character of the inhabitants.—Suspicions regarding Mahomed.—Measures for "keeping him straight."—He spurns our offer of a revolver.—Advent Sunday.—Arrival of pilgrims from Mecca.—Start from Akabah on Monday morning.—Great thunderstorm.— The camp breaks up in confusionpages 71–74.
The Wâdy el Arabah.—Its importance in Israelitish history.—Its relations to the Jordanic depression.—Position of the great fault.—Site of Ezion Geber.—Raised sea beach of the Arabah Valley.—Appearance of our Alowîn guides.—Abundance of game.—Magnificent eagle.—Sketch of the geological structure of the Arabah Valley.—Its general aspect.—Absence of streams.—Original physical condition.—The wells of Ain el Ghudyan.—Camp near centre of Arabah Valley.—Grand scenery.—The "saddle" of Wâdy el Arabah.—The Wâdy Gharandel.—Footprints of wild animals on the desert sandspages 75–84.
