EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 237 
cabia, a more confiderable one, it was not in my power to vifit, 
but it is defcribed as nearly due Weft, at the diftance of two 
days and a half. The road is rocky and mountainous, and of 
courfe may be fuppofed fomewhat circuitous. Cours, a place 
of little note. North-weft by Weft, at five hours and a half tra- 
velling from Cobbe'. Ril is fomething more than three days 
removed from it, in the diredion South-fouth-eaft ; and as the 
road is good and lies through a plain, this cannot be eftimated 
at much lefs than fixty miles. Shoba is two days and a half 
from Cobbe. 
Gidid is nearly South-eaft, and about one day and a half 
from Cobbe. Gelle is not far from Cubcabia, but fome hours 
further removed to the South. Sweini is the general refort of 
the merchants trading to Egypt, both in going and returning, 
and thence derives its chief importance. Provlfions, of moft 
kinds which the country affords, are found there in plenty, and 
and while the jelabs remain there, a daily market is held. The 
Chatib, and fome other of the principal merchants have houfes 
there, for the convenience of lodging their property, as the ca- 
ravans pafs and repafs. A Melek, with a fmall number of 
troops, is always ftationed there to receive them. The town 
therefore may be confidered as in fome meafure the key of that 
road, though not entirely fo, as there are two others which 
lead from the center of Dar-Fur towards Egypt, without going 
to Sweini, 
The poorer people who conftantly live there, are either of the 
province called Zeghawa, or Arabs. 
In 
