'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. III. 1917' [‎326] (335/432)

326
LAND ROUTES
by Bedouin, and post-bags were dispatched by a safer, if longer
route by Aleppo.
The journey over this route, always monotonous and sometimes
dangerous, is extremely trying physically. It may require to be
varied to avoid hostile Arabs, and it often happens that the usual
wells are thus missed and the traveller left for three or four days
without water.
The camels march from 16 to 19 hours a day, and the halts are so
arranged as never to allow a continuous rest of more than 2 or at the
most 4 hours. Sometimes tempests of cold wind hinder the advance
of the camels. In favourable circumstances and with good dromedaries
the distance may be accomplished in about 7 days, but, as in any
circumstances delay may occur, it is safer to calculate on the journey
lasting from 9 to 10 days. The journey is shortest in the dry weather ;
longer in winter and spring when the rains make the desert slipperv
in places.
The route leads over sandy or gravelly plains, hills or valleys,
which are barren or produce only prickly shrubs and tall feathery
grass which the camels eat. Over this region wander numerous
tribes, the most important of which is the Anazeh. Sometimes
a ghazm or plundering expedition of the Shammar or other wandering
tribes may be encountered. There is most danger of these in winter,
as w T ater can then be found in unfrequented spots, so that the
marauders are not obliged to visit regular watering-places, always
dangerous for them. In the centre of the desert there is scarcely
any herbage for the greater part of the year, the plain being covered
with black basalt, very trying for the feet of camels. Across the
route a succession of wadis run NE. trending to E. Among these
the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hauran, about one-third of the way between Hit and
Damascus is important, as it is principally by means of it that this
part of northern Arabia is drained towards the Euphrates some miles
above Hit. The distances are very uncertain.
Miles from
Hit
0 Hit.
lOf Kebeiseh village. Pop. 500 (1882). 50,000 palm trees
(1911). Some commerce with the Bedouin in dates and
other commodities. Gardens in a separate enclosure
. to N. of the town. Spring on the border of these gardens;
water abundant, but bitter and salt. Sulphur spring.
Oood drinking water found only in a single well, situated
about 1 m. outside the walls, half-way between the town
and the shrine of Sheikh Qudr, which has a conical spire.