THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. -223 



fary for fo tedious a voyage. A number of men being ne- 

 cefiary, a quantity of water was equally fo ; and this mull 

 have taken up a great deal of ftowage. Now, no where on 

 the coaft of Abyffinia could they want water two days ; and 

 fcarce any where, on the coaft of Arabia, could they be fure 

 of it once in fifteen, and from this the weftern coaft was 

 called Ber el Aja?n*, corruptly Azamia, the country of water, in 

 oppofition to the eaftern more, called Ber el Arab, where 

 there was none. 



Adeliberate furvey became abfolutely neceffary, and 

 as in proportion to the danger of the coaft pilots became 

 more fkilful, when once they had obtained more com- 

 plete knowledge of the rocks and dangers, they preferred 

 the boldeft more, becaufe they could Hand on all night, and 

 provide themfelves with water every day. Whereas, on 

 the Arabian fide, they could not fail but half the day, would 

 be obliged to lie to all night, and to load themfelves with 

 water, equal to half their cargo. 



I now mall undertake to point out to large mips, the way 

 by which they can fafely enter the Gulf of Suez, fo as that 

 they may be competent judges of their own courfe, in cafe 

 of accident, wichout implicitly furrendering themfelves, and 

 property, into the hands of pilots. 



In the firft place, then, I am very confident, that, taking 

 their departure from Jibbelel-Ouree, fhips may fafely Hand 



on 



Ajan, in the language of Shepherds, fignifies raiwwater. 



