'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎96v] (192/565)

95. Started at 4-30 p.m . and came out of the plain at sunset. Halted for
Maghrib prayer, and then began to ascend a hilly track or pass, which was
at times very narrow and steep, till at 9 p.m . got down into a rugged deep
valley, the camels going very slowly and patiently. We were left far behind,
and it was too dark to see even the last of the party ahead of us. Even the
usual warning song, 44 Ya Saiyd, Ya Saiya" sung by Dahaim, our coffee-boy,
at the top of his voice brought no response, showing we were far behind our
lighter and light-thinking friends. Half an hour's attempt to go faster and
catch up with them also failed. Then Dahaim took up his rifle and fired four
shots. Shortly afterwards Fahad came back running and took us about two
miles further where w T e met the party and proceeded in silence till 12-30 a. m.,
when a halt was made in a plain just under the hills called Mirrkah.
JNight was fairly cool and awfully calm. Slept immediately on lying down
and was awaked at 4-30 a. m ., still feeling very tired.
96. Monday, 9th August=23rd Delhi Qaadah. —Started at 5 a.m.,
after "Fajr" prayer. Are travelling over a level plain of hard soil, with
dark brown rocks scattered around at a distance and high hills far away to the
north of the route. At 7-30 a. m . arrive at a small mud-tower with a large
mud-house attached to it. This is called Barra tower. There are several wells
close by where our camels are watered and our water-skins re-filled with fresh
water. The water of the outer wells is slightly bitter, but that of a well in
the tower is sweet. Break-fasted and resumed the march at 9 a.m.
97. Barra, a small village in a little green plain, w ith good date-palms
and bare hills around, lies about two miles away to the north and looks rather
picturesque from the road. Passed by a small " qasr", or summer-house, about
2^ miles west of Barra and halted at 11 a. m . at the farther western end of
the plain of Barra, where there was good pasture for the camels, but no treea
or shade except the poor shade of our light tents. The sum and glare
were very discomforting, and the Shimal wind did not help to relieve the
heat. Lunched at noon and slept a little out of sheer fatigue as every bone in the
body ached as if pounded in a mortar. This is the second day of the journey
and I have not had a word with Ahmad Thanaiyan or anyone else of the
party, who are all keeping aloof from us, nor 'has Farhan; though he has
several times been riding close by their side, while myself and the three servants
and Dahaim can go at a lower speed, our beasts being comparatively
heavily laden than theirs. My companion (or host), Ahmad Thanaiyan, only
sent me a leg of mutton both times yesterday and to-day as soon as a sheep was
killed on halting at noon, and I thanked him through Dahaim, who brought
it. I mean to wait and see. Farhan says we must not lower ourselves in their
estimation by falling in with them unless and until they salaam and speak to
us first or visit us in our tent and join us in eating and drinking as we repre
sent His Britannic Majesty's Government and are the guests of their ruler.
I concur.
98. Started at 4 p.m ., after saying collective ^Zuhr" and Asr'*
prayers, as yesterday. At 8 p. m. we arrived in Shumaisah, a small low r -
lying valley surounded by barren hills. There are two wells here and a small
Badu (Ataibah) camp. The headman, with five others came and took coffe with
us They have large flocks of excellent sheep, but a small number of camels and
half a dozen dogs ^o guard the sheep from wolves and thieves. After, watering
our camels and taking fresh water,,which is very good, we resumed our march
at 10 p. m . and after an hour came to a sandy plain with deep sands and .
high dunes called Nafud, round and over many of which our camels walked
slowly and laboriously. There was no sign of a route or track for hours, but
our guide, Sagar-al-Atawi, led us with an air of certainty, he himself being
guided by the stars, which shone brightly in the dark moonless night. At about
midnight there were two or three brief pauses to let those behind catch up ;
one camel rather heavily laden w r ith provisions refused to climb over a high
dune, and the keeper, Bakhit negro, shouted out " ala hun, ala hun" (go
slow, go slow), when we all stopped at the top and then sent down two men
who brought up the poor lingerer. We had hoped to finish w ith this sandy
portion but at 1 a . m . found ourselves still surrounded by dunes and came
to the conclusion that we had lost our way. Man and beast wefe tired to the