Page:Mount Seir, Sinai and Western Palestine.djvu/202

166 the destruction of these cities and the first mention of Jericho. There seems to be nothing improbable in the supposition that, at some period during this interval, the materials may have been utilised in the erection of the latter city; even as those of the older Jericho were utilised (as we may suppose) in the construction of the more modern city of the same name, built by Hiel the Bethelite, 534 years after. But of this second city, which, according to Eusebius, was destroyed by the Romans during the siege of Jerusalem, how little even now remains! Nothing, in effect, but the foundations and tanks.

Amongst these hills has been erected the huge mosque of the Nebi Mûsa (Tomb of Moses), where the remains of the prophet are supposed to lie;— in defiance of all history. Thus we have had the name of the prophet of Israel "cropping up" no less than four times during our pilgrimage: first, at Ayun Mûsa, near Suez; then at Jebel Mûsa (Mount Sinai); again at the Wâdy Mûsa (or Valley of Petra); and, lastly, at Nebi Mûsa, on the western side of the Jordan! It is certain the prophet of Israel never came here; and exceedingly improbable (as it seems to me) that he ever entered the Valley of Petra. The place, however, is worthy of honour, as there are excellent wells in the valley below, from which, as we passed, damsels were drawing water, and readily allowed us to slake our thirst at their pitchers.

After crossing another ridge we descended into another glen, the Wâdy Mukalik, by a path so steep that it was found desirable to dismount and lead our horses. At the bottom we found ourselves in the dry bed of a mountain torrent amongst nearly vertical cliffs of gravel, clinging to the sides of the older limestone strata. Here we rested, partly to allow the baggage mules to come up with us, and we watched with some curiosity to see how they would manage to scramble down the almost precipitous path with their ponderous loads. Wonderful indeed was the strength, skill, and sagacity they displayed in supporting their loads, choosing their footing, and scrambling down the banks. All arrived safely at the bottom; and, after a rest, commenced the as nearly steep ascent of the opposite bank. Next to the mountain road from the Wâdy Kuseibeh to Petra this was the most difficult road we had yet travelled in the East.