'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎91r] (181/565)

medicines, etc , but we started off, the sun rising. Bin Jabir sent a man ahead
with letter to Riyadh saying we would reach to-morrow morning. At 7-30 a.m.
passed Shua'ibah Haniyan, a dry river-bed running around at the foot of
the high rocky plateau, bx)wl-shaped. At 10 a.m . halted at Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Abun Nas,
a sandy valley among rocks, with good grazing for camels. After lunch and
rest started at 4-30 p.m ., marching over hard rock groun'i with rocks all round
at a distance. At 6 p.m , descended into a low wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. or plain where there ia
a good pasture of " Ashab " and " Afraj," etc., some Sumr (Indian Kikar)
trees. ^ We now enter Jubail rocks, low muddy hills of dark brown colour
extending south to north. La^t rock protruding to the west is called
Khashm-Al-Aun from where the route descendsinto the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. As-Salai. Halted
at 6-30 p m ., Prayed, took dinner and re-started at 8-30 p.m ., marching up to
li -30 p.m . Halted on a level rock of Mughaiizat hills. Riyadh is "only an
hour from here. Slept well, very cool night. This was where Abdul Aziz
hid with 40 picked camel riders and dashed at Riyadh at midnight, re-captur
ing it from Ibn Rashid, 16 years ago, so Bin Jabir tells me.
#
TJQLAT-HAMAID TO SALAI—10 HOURS.
34. Tuesday, 27th July = 10th Dhil Qaacto/*.—Starting at 5-30 a.m ., we
soon came up on the hills called Mugharizat (milked dry). These are really
milked dry by the Riyadh valley below on to which all the water of rainfall
must flow from these rocks Prom the last of these and the highest you see
Riyadh, lying like a princess on a green bed. It is a very pleasing sisrht after
a hard journey of five days and nights running. Some people do it in ten days
and a special post runner in three only, but often kills his camel.
36. We arrived in Riyadh at 7 a.m . : thus actual time occupied in travel
ling (moving) is 65 hours.
36. As soon as we dismounted in front of the "Qasr palace of the ruler,
a secretary whom I later knew to be Ibrahim Bin Jummah Shammari, received
us at the gate and took us up and ushered into the " Maktab," office of the
Imam. -
37. The Imam 1 Bin Saud (Shaikh Sir 'Abdul ' Aziz, K.O.I.E.) received
us very kindly and courteously rising and meeting us in the centre of his office.
Tall, well-built, fair, good-featured man of about 40. Talks with ease, rather
fast. Welcomed our visit which he said is a bit delayed, and repeatedly said
that answer to his letter was much delayed by Government. After 15
minutes' ordinary talk, we were sent with Ahmad Thanaiyan to the other,
west, side of the Qasr, the quarters set apart for us. Good, commodious, well-
furnished house with all requirements. Two attendants and one coffee-man
given to us and we settled down comfortably. It is rather hot, but not unplea
sant, oppressive like Bahrein. It is dry heat. The wind is Shimal.
38. Ibrahin Bin Jumaah Shammari, secretary, and Bin Shalhub, treasurer,
and Ibn Suwaidan, clerk, came to visit us. After Maghrib the Imam called ui
to his private Majlis and talked a lot.
39. Wednesday, 28th July = 11th Dhil Qaadah. —Went out for a ride to
the Imam's garden, north of the town, called the Shamsiyah. Good garden
with excellent date trees and in one part peaches, pomegranates and other
fruit trees but no vines.
40. At 9 a.m . wrote letters to Bahrein, informing Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. of our
arrival here, Bin Sand's remarks regarding going to Hajj that he cannot
possibly go if Government, to whom he has made fresh reference while we were
on the road to Riyadh, insist on his taking a small number of men and limited
number of armed following ; but that he will send a son op other representation
with a small body of pilgrims and conciliatory letters for the Sherif, that, too,
because Government desire it.
41. Bin Saud to-day talked a lot of the Jariyah incident and Shaikh
Salim's hostility to him from beginning to date Even his Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. and cousin
Nasir As-Saud, who took a friendly letter, was insulted. Salim only sought
war. Bin Saud seems to be much worried over his rupture with Shaikh Salini
and Bin Rashid. He, too, mentions the Basrah Times writing the wrong report
that Bin Saud was defeated and 13 out of 3,300 of his men escaped from
field. As a matter of fact, he (his son Bu Sharrain) defeated Bin Rashid