250 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



A goat is piously slain at the sepulchre of Aaron on 

 Mount Hor ; and the tomb of Sheik Saleh, near 

 Sinai, ranks next in veneration to the Mount of 

 Moses. On its rude walls are suspended silk tassels, 

 handkerchiefs, ostrich-eggs, halters, bridles, and 

 similar articles, as votive gifts. Once a year all the 

 tribes of the Towara Arabs in their best attire repair 

 to the spot, and remain encamped three days : during 

 which many sheep are sacrificed, camel-races run, 

 and the nights spent in dancing and singing. Mer- 

 cantile transactions are usually connected with these 

 sepulchral pilgrimages ; and fairs are annually held 

 on the spots where the bones of the patriarchs and 

 prophets are supposed to rest. 



The only other place in this interesting peninsula, 

 connected with the hermits of Sinai, is the small 

 convent of El Bourg near Tor. Here they possess a 

 spacious enclosure, stocked with date-trees, whence 

 the fruit is conveyed to their monastery, where it is 

 used for making brandy. A solitary monk inhabits 

 the little fort built close to the garden-wall ; and, 

 notwithstanding his care in drawing up the ladder 

 by which he ascends to his habitation, he is not 

 unfrequently subjected to the visits of the Bedouins, 

 who from time to time levy a contribution of bread 

 and provisions as the price of their protection. Tor 

 has been identified, on account of its springs and 

 palm-groves, with the ancient Elim ; but this seems 

 to rest on no better authority than many other tra- 

 ditions. The town is described as a wretched 

 assemblage of huts, in the occupation of a few 

 families drawn together by its waters and fruit-trees. 

 The fortress is said to have been built by the Por- 

 tuguese, but is now in a state of decay. A few 

 miles to the north, and Avithin a short distance of 

 the sea, lies the Gebel Narkous, or Mountain of the 

 Bell, which is said to emit a sound " sometimes 

 resembhng musical glasses, sometimes like one 

 piece of metal struck against another." This phe- 



