Note 112 — The Sixth Book.

Among the mountains of the Beni Abbess, four leagues to the S. E. of the Welled Mansoure, we pass thro’ a narrow winding defile, which, for the space of near half a mile, lyeth on each side under an exceeding high precipice, at every winding, the Rock or Stratum, that originally went across it and thereby separated one valley from another, is cut into the fashion of a door case six or seven feet wide, giving thereby the Arabs an occasion to call them Beeban, the Gates; whilst the Turks in consideration of their strength and ruggedness, know them by the additional appellation of Dammer Cappy, the Gates of Iron. Few persons pass them without horror, a handful of men being able to dispute the passage with a whole Army. The rivulet of salt water which glides thro’ this valley, might possibly first point out the way which art and necessity would afterwards improve.

Shaw.