246 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



granite rock, resembling a chair, on which he sat 

 and beheld the fight between Joshua and the Amale- 

 kites, — are among the sacred spots pointed out to 

 the credulity of pilgrims, and identified by the bro- 

 therhood, who find it their interest to multiply objects 

 of curiosity and veneration. 



On the very summit of Gebel Mousa stands a 

 church, ^yhich, though now much dilapidated, is an 

 object of great attraction. The Arabs believe that 

 the original tables of the commandments are buried 

 under the pavement ; and they have made excava- 

 tions on every side in the hope of finding them. 

 They more particularly revere this spot from a be- 

 lief that the rains which fall on the peninsula are 

 under the immediate control of Moses ; and they 

 are persuaded that the monks of St. Catherine are 

 in possession of the taouraf^ or book which he sent 

 dow^n from heaven ; upon the opening and shutting 

 of which depends the state of the weather. The 

 reputation which the holy men have thus obtained 

 of having the dispensation of rain in their hands 

 sometimes becomes rather troublesome to them, 

 especially as they have encouraged that superstitious 

 belief with a view to enhance their own credit. By 

 a natural inference the Bedouins have concluded, 

 that if they can bring rain, they have it likewise in 

 their power to withhold it ; and, in consequence, 

 whenever a dearth happens, they accuse them of 

 malevolence, and often tumultuously assemble to 

 compel their prayers. The same imputation they 

 lay to their charge when violent floods happen to 

 burst down the hills and destroy their cattle or date- 

 trees. A peasant some years since, whose sheep 

 and camels had been swept off" by the torrent, went 

 in a fury to the convent and fired his musket at it, 

 exclaiming, " You have opened the book so much 

 that we are all drowned !" The monks pacified him 

 with presents ; but, on departing, he begged that in 



