'Southern Nejd: Journey to Kharj, Aflaj, Sulaiyyil, and Wadi Dawasir in 1918.' [‎27r] (58/100)

2T
— 45 —
brought us to a barrier of sand lying about one mile to the south
of a large patch of Rak* bushes, known as Raka, situated in
a similar depression shewing obvious signs of comparatively
recent flooding.
Before us lay the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. , that is to say the oasis of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Dawasir,t a truly disappointing spectacle, a narrow belt of
palms sunk low in a depression lying between a barrier of
sand on the north and a bare stony slope on the south, with a
hamlet or two on the latter; but in this case the first view was
altogether deceptive and closer inspection revealed the fact
that what we saw from the summit of this sand ridge was but
the outskirts of a large and prosperous oasis.
Having breakfasted at leisure while taking in the scene
we moved cautiously forward looking out for our returning
messengers and ready to reply to any exhibition of hostility
from the palm-belt. At length we espied a cavalcade issuing
from the latter and making towards us at a rapid pace—-our
messengers returning with a strong escort of the Amir s retainers.
Our letters had caused a second conference, the result of which
had been a decision by the people of Dam to withdraw their
pickets to defend their own particular territory against my
intrusion leaving the people of other sections to defend 01
prostitute their honour as they chose. Something at any rate
had been gained and further parley would doubtless produce
further concessions but for the time being it was obviously
inadvisable to adhere to our plan of going straight to om destina
tion. We were now marching along the most easterly or
Sharafa (rarely called Thamamiya) section of the oases, in
whose three little hamlets small groups of spectators had gathered
to see us pass. A mile further on we passed the ruins of Ruwaisa
and Hanabija. Another mile and we alighted at the pressing
* The twigs of this bush, of what species I do not know, have a strong pleasing scent
and are largely used as toothbrushes. , , , i if
t This designation is understood readily enough but never used by the people of the
south or indeed of any part of Nejd proper to signify either the valley or the oasis though
the term occurs in at least one well-known song ;
" Sahibi Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. al Dawasir Muqarra
Bi-Dhila al Asmar Min Wara al Ramal Mm Ghadi.
" Mv love her home is in the valley of Dawasir
In" the Black Mountains (Tuwaiq) beyond the sands far away.
The term Alwadi moreover is used exclusively to denote the oasis and not the channel
or anv Dart of it the nature and possibilities of the latter being unsuspected until last year,
while local geographers have to think hard before realising the real continuity of the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
and Sulaiwil sections of the channel, the latter section being called Afja m the Su'aiyyil
basin and Farsha beyond it to the east. The term Wadyan Dawasir is unknown and would
be extremely misleading.