The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-22
THE OASIS OF MOSES WELLS.
Traveller Describes Groups of Date
Palms in Desert of Arabia,

Traveller Describes Groups of Date
Palms in Desert of Arabia.
Upon the different occasions that the
bubonic plague. has visited Europe, it
has been generally admitted that the
route traversed has been by way of the
Red sea and the Arabian desert, being
carried to the latter country by pilgrims
from India to the tomb of the Prophet
Mecca, and brought thence 10 Egypt by
returning pilgrims from the same Holy
City.
Considerable interest therefore, may
center round that oasis in the peninsula
of Mount Sinai, called Ain Moosa, or
Moses Wells, where a recent cabiegram
announces The fact, that a rigid quar-
antine has been established, as the chief
outpost of defense against the dreaded
plague.
The reason for electng this particular
spot as a quarantine barrier, Is, that il
lies directly on the overland route to Nee
ca, and that it is there the yearly cara
van bearing the Khedye's presents to the
tomb of Mahomet halts before starting on
its long and perilous journey across the
desert. 1t is there, also the returning
caravan pauses to collect stragg.ers, and
rest, after the pilgrimage has been sue
cessfully accomplished, bringing with il
too often, however, not only the blessing
of the chief ulema, but the germs of chOl-
era and the plague. Hence the European
medical authorities have determined TO
combat the disease at this little oasis in
the desert before it can reach the territory
of Egypt proper.
The oasis is SO called from a tradition
that il was on that spot the children of
Israel first encamped after the passage Of
the Red sea 1t lies southeast of Suez,
f,,l, sT,s, ft4rt s-t.l
of the gulf of that name. The advance
of civilization has not yet penetrated into
the sandy wastes of Arabia, and conse-
quently in the numbers of a party is to
be found the best safeguard 10 peaceful
transit.
Situated in the midst of an arid plain,
glimmering in the bright sunshine with
encrusted salt and alkai, the oasis of
Moses Wells is composed of but a small
group of date palms and mimosa bushes,
sheIerlng a few huts, where dwell those
responsible for keeping The brackish
springs free from drifting sand. BY these
self constituted guardians of the oasis, a
toll is charged for The use of the water.
Far away to the southwark can be dis
cerned a range of rugged hills. from out
of which rises the peak OF Mount Sinai,
visible at early dawn and late sunset When
the simmer enveloping he desert has
passed away, should the Traveller chance
TO visit Nc SEES WeIS Wnon he great year
~ caravan halts there en- route TO Mecca,
he will be well repaid for whatever trou-
bic he may have experienced in reaching
this unfrequentsd spot on The carths sur
face.
No mere romantic v.s.op can be eonjure1
up, than the richly caparisone1 camels,
their silvery bells linking in the clear at
mosphere, bearing The Khedive's presents
Of costly rugs. perfumes, and specs; the
fierce, swarthy countenances Of the Arabs,
their persons enveloped in the flowing bur-
nous, and carrying those long-barre'ed,
matchbox guns, with cur ously inla.d ham
dies, the prize of the collector of n'ique
armor. To these, the great crowd Of at
tendant pilgrims of all complex ons from
the full-blooded negro of the Soudan to
the comparatively light skinned denizsn of
the Caucasus all wrought up 10 a high
pitch of religious fervor by a previous pc
Rod of fasting and penance and you will
have imprin ed on your memory a scene,
that for its unique character, 1t is not
likely 10 be witnessed elsewhere.
1t is with the return of this caravan at
Moses Wells, that western medical science
proposes 10 deal in order, II possible, to
check the advance OF the terrible plague
from that hotbed of pestlence the Holy
City Of Mecca. Michael Clifford White