The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-15

AS looked backward from The nfSt prom
ontory which turned Us ndo the sea, saw the
uoop scattered along the beach. aud the last
baggage camels pacing ont from among the
bushes about our camp. Sometimes in the !
bays we had to go slowly over fields Of
sand; sometimes TO cross the promontorles
by steep paths or shelves in the rocks; and
oltener, to cross the water, guiding our cam
els as usual; for the water was clear as the |
air. At last we were brought to a stop, |
when we agreed that there were two roads,
if any. The promontory before US jutied
out too far to make it prudent TO take the
water without guidance: and there was be-
sides only stony wadee which looked as il
nobody ever passed through it, or ever would.
So We made our camels kneel, and waited
on our saddles. Others who came up did
the same, till we were curious kneellng
party. Bishara passed Us at length, and led
the way up the stony wadee. We little
knew what we were entering upon; and il
any one had told US that it was the pass to
Wadee Negsbad, the words would have
conveyed to us no more thnn they probably
now do to my readers. The ascending wadee
narrowed to pass Of sleeper ascent, and
the pass to a mere narrow road, and then
the road to staircase, zigzag staircase Of
steep, irregular steps, so completely without
pause that the great anxiety Of everybody
was to keep his camel going, because every
one behind was in suspension, hanging be-
tween two steps, so that any stoppage would
be worse than inconvenient. Many would
have been glad to dismount, but they must
not stop even for that moment. The way
was also TOO narrow for alighting safely
One lady jumped of. and then was in great
agony because her camel resisted being pull
led forward, and there was not room for her
TO pass behind to drive it. The next in the
string applied his stick to good purpose, so
that we were relieved from our hanging at
titude. During the minute ! could glance
behind me, and most striking was the pic
ture Of the sandy and stony areas below,
with the long-drawn caravan winding far
beneath and up the steep. Our position
must have looked terrific to the hindmost.
At the top we found ourselves on a pima
Gle, mere point, whence the way down
looked more threatening than that we had
passed. | could not allow myself single
moment here, for the camels were still tail
to nose all the way down, and in the same
way must they descend the tremendous zig.
gag before me. Most Of the gentlemen con-
trived to slip off here, but there was no room
or time for me, in the precise spot occupied,
to do so, so | set myself firm in my stirrups,
and determined to leave it to my camel how
to accomplish the break-neck descent. On
ly two besides myself rode down the whole
way; and | believe we were all surprised
that every one arrived at the bottom in safe.
;y, There were a few slips and falls, but
no harm done. The ridge of camel is a
great height from which to look down on,
not only the sseepest turns of sharp zgzag
on the side of precipice, but long slippery
stone steps, in quick succession. depend.
ed altogether upon my stirrups; pair hung
short over the front peg Of the saddle, which
, saved the necessity Of resting ones foot on
/ the camel's neck in any steep descent, and
were great help in keeping one steady. !
I do not think such pass as this could be &C.
r eOmplished without them.-Miss Marti
: ReGu's Eastern TrdUel