THE following account refers to the route of the caravan in 1816; but
formerly, as I learn from Arabian authors, the stations differed in many
instances.
The caravan assembles for several days at a place eastward of the
Gardens near Cairo, about one hour distant, called El Hassoua, and then
proceeds to Birket el Hadj, four hours distant, where they remain two
days. From this place the caravan starts on the 27th of the month Showal:
it travels only by night, generally setting out at four o'clock in the
afternoon, and alighting soon after sun-rise at the station where they
encamp, until evening.
From the Birket el Hadj -
1st night - To Dar el Hamra.
2. To Adjeroud: here they halt the whole day and following night. The
caravan is supplied with water from Suez, that which Adjeroud furnishes
being extremely bad.
4. To Roos el Nowatyr, a plain in the mountain, without water: here they
halt only a few hours, and proceed
5. To Wady Tyh, the entrance to the Desert of Tyh: here they halt a few
hours, but, not finding any water, go on
6. To the castle of Nakhel: here they repose, after their forced march,
during the whole day and following night, supply themselves with water,
and set out next evening.
8. To El Alaya, where they remain one hour, but find no water.
9. To Sath el Akaba, the summit of the western chain of Akaba: here is a
small village. The road up and down the mountain is very difficult. From
this station they march a whole night, to descend in the narrow passes
to the plain and castle of Akaba.
10. Here they remain the day and night.
12. Thaher el Homar, a rocky ground, with bad water and numerous date-
trees.
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13. (Night,) To Shorafa, a barren long extended valley, without water.
14. To Moghayr Shayb: many wells of sweet water, date-plantations, and
trees among the rocks, render this one of the most agreeable stations on
the route; but it is infested by robbers.
15. To Ayoun el Kassab, a plain ground with date-trees, and water.
It belongs to the territory of Moeyleh.
16. To El Moeyleh, where are fine pasture-grounds and good water: here
the caravan halts for the night, and remains till the next evening.
18. To Selma, a place yielding water.
19. To Kalat Ezlam.
20. To El Astabel, or Astabel Antar: the only water here is in a few
holes dug in the sands of the valley,
21. To Kalat el Wodjeh, where there is good water: they halt this night,
and next evening proceed
23. To Akra; a very long march; they arrive at Akra in the evening: here
the water is of a most offensive smell. The caravan halts one hour.
24. To El Houra, likewise called Dar el Ashreyn, because it is the
twentieth station from Cairo.
