EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 187 
apparently been raifed by fome of the tribes refting there, that 
place being much frequented by the roving parties paffing the 
defert in different directions. The building confifts only of 
loofe ftones, but the jelabs related many fables concerning it ; as 
that it had of old been inhabited by a princefs who, like the 
Amazons, drew the bow, and wielded the battle-axe, with her 
own hand ; that fhe was attended by a large number of fol- 
lowers, who fpread terror all over Nubia, &c. ; and that her 
name was Selime*. 
On the 24th we refted, and having proceeded the following 
morning, employed five days more in reaching Leghea. Water 
there is fcarce, and far inferior in quality to that of Selime, 
having a brackifh tafte. The camels throughout the caravan 
began now to be exceffively weak and jaded, and the Chabir 
was at a lofs for the true road : for though feveral perfons in the 
caravan had traverfed this defert ten or twelve times, they were 
not unfrequently unable to determine which was the right courfe. 
One of the party was fent forward to difcover fome known 
object that might be our guide, and after having been abfent 
thirty-fix hours he returned. While we remained here we felt 
much inconvenience from a fuffocating wind that blew from 
the South, and raifed the fand in clouds. On the 2d of July the 
caravan left Leghea ; and on the eighth, after a fevere and fa- 
tiguing march, reached the Bir-el-Malha or fait fpring. The 
* In paffing the defert, partly from want of water, partly from being over- 
loaded, (thefe animals being then fcarce and dear in Egypt,) fo many camels died, 
that feveral merchants of the caravan were obliged to bury their goods in the 
fand near Selime, whither they afterwards fent for them. 
B B 2 vicinity 
