'Routes in Arabia' [‎745] (776/852)

745
Route No. 201— contd.
over, the rain still continuing, we were obliged by the approach
of night to push on. After 10 minutes we reached the top ot
a small pass, from which the I) fir band behind lay to the south-
south -west, while the road ahead turned east in the direction oi
Shaqlawah. Partly through heavy mud, partly over wet
ground, Ave reached Shaqlawah in an hour and 20 minutes,
without baggage and wet to the skin. Owing to variation of
pace according to the nature of the road and the gathering
dark, I cannot estimate the distance traversed in this time.
The time of arrival of the weary baggage caravan which
plodded for much longer through mud and darkness is also
no criterion. _ , .
(The topography of the War Office map beyond Karrai,
no doubt '' Kora,'' seems to be conjectural. Shaqlawah
village really lies on the northern, not on_ the southern, side
of the Shaqlawah mountain ; and its position is, I should say,
a good deal further to the east than that assigned to it the
map. Moreover Shaqlawah mountain appears to be simply the
highest peak of the Safin Range, not a separate range divided
pices of the mountain. Magnificent clear springs burst from
the hill side and water abundantly the orchards, vineyards,
and woods which extend downwards from the village into
a valley that passes across its front from west to cast.
There arc 230 houses of Muhammadans (Kurds), loO of Chris
tians (Chaldfean Catholics), and 5 of Jews. The Jews are wea
vers ; the Muhammadans and (Christians are cultn ators am
muleteers and also weave cloth. There are three Ghaldsean
Catholic priests in the Christian community. Poplars are
grown for the sake of the wood which they yield, and there are
other large trees. I noticed 3 great planes (chinars) of which
the smallest was 18 feet in circumference, also a mulberry with
a girth of 13 feet. Cereals grown are wheat, barley, mash, and
arzan ; there are also cotton, sesame and a little tobacco ; fruits
include grapes, apples, pears and mulberries. There are 5 out
mills worked by the water of the springs. Notwithstanding
all these resources the place has a poverty-stricken appearance.
from the latter by a great valley.
SHAQLAWAH
VILLAGE.
Shaqlawah village is
situated on the talus
below the northern preci-