284 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



of the hills, in whose honour they still offer sacri- 

 fice. A goat is piously slain at the sepulchre of 

 Aaron on Mount Hor ; and the tomb of Sheik Sa- 

 leh, 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. Mercantile transactions are usually con- 

 nected 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 penin- 

 sula, 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 traditions. 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 Portuguese, but is now in a 



7 



