[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎33r] (65/206)

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tender. He has a look of his father, but is of quite a different build, being
light and rather fragile.
I asked him about his grand father, Abdur Bahman’s, health and learnt
that he was well.
3lst October, Buraidah.—Twc'ki came at about 8-15 a m , accompanied by
the Governor of the town, ‘Abdul Aziz bin Jaluwi ( ^ ), and
Abbas al Falaji ( ), commonly referred to as Abbas “ Beg ”,
fading about 100 horsemen, mostly African slaves. Before coming
to the camp they galloped past me as I stood by a tent peg, firb g rifles and
revolvers, waving swords, and looking very warlike. I pretended to be duly
impressed with this childish fantasia, which was intended as a special honour
to me. Afterwards we had a mejlis in a large reception tent which Turld
had had pitched for us. Tea, coffee, and biscuits were partaken of and then Turki,
with the abovementioned personages, adjourned with me to my private tent
to discuss business. Ibn Bashid is at present in Madinah with Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
while Ibn Lailah is at Damascus with Jamal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . Turki says Ibn Bashid
has only about 400 men with him, but can always assemble the Shammar in
case of urgent need and it is not possible to take Hail by a coup de main.
The two main questions which Iliad to put to lurki were :—(1) why he
gave the Shammar caravan a letter to Shaikh Salim for mnsabilah at the end
of September, and (2) if it were possible for him to take Hail at this time
when Ibn Bashid is obviously so weak. As regards (1) Turki says he only
gave the SAammar a slip of paper addressed to all and sundry intended to be
for a safe conduct among his tribes lest they should interfere with or attack
them. He never meant to give them a pass for musabilah on the way to
Kuwait. As for (2) capturing Hail he said that, in the firs* place, it would
not be possible to gather his powers rapidly enough to take Ibn B a shid by
surprise, and, secondly, he knew that there was one vi lage or suburb) of Hail
which was strongly fortified and garrisoned by the Turks. His orders fram
his father were to seduce the Shammar and prevent them returning to Ibn
Basbid while keeping the Mutair from raiding tribes which had sent quotas
to fight under the Sherif. Neither answer is really satisfying. The fact is
that an informal truce exists among the tribes of both parties. Bin Sand’s
policy is evidently approved of by all. The Bedouin’s one idea at the present
moment is to share in the rich harvest of British subsidies and the profits of
blockade-running.
1st November .—Bode in early morning to S. W. of city through palm gardens
message from him requesting me to stay in camp until the afternoon, when he
would himself come and start me on my way. Waited till 4 p.m., when he
came out with all his horse, including the Governor, ‘Abdul ‘Aziz bin Jaluwi,-
the Arafah (Salman), and another. Was very pleasant and rode with me for -|
mile, when he requested leave to return. He said he had just received word
from his father sanctioning his return to Biadh as soon as he could be relieved
by Fahad ibn Maamar, the former Governor. I am glad I did not meet that
were more frank than the Zilfis. Nevertheless, I hear from ; my entourage that
they are really inclined to be fanatical, though the palm for fanaticism must now
be given to Artawiyah, where all the elect have migrated. Buraidah bazaars
are most disappointing. The place struck me as under some evil spell and as
most unprogressive, badly built, dirty, and generally uncared for. The inhabit
ants have no great love for Bin Sdud or for Hail either.
Marched till 8-25 p.m., crossed the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Bummah at about 7-55 p.m., and
seemed to be continuously in the vicinity of date gardens till the last 2 miles.
Halted on the height overlooking ‘Anaizah.
2nd November .—Descended to lower ground by a stony, but not very steep,
Distance, 141 hours, miles.
At clawn —Temp. 56°, Bar. 3,325'.
and on our way home had coffee with one
Ibn Bahush. I offered to go and call on
Turki to take my leave, but received a
* The account of him given by Baunkiaer is
borne out by h?s reputation.
surly individual *. Buraidah people struck
me, however, as not unfriendly; on the
contrary, they appeared glad to see me and
Distance 360 miles.
path and was met by the nephew of the
Amir and 2 messeugers. It appears that I
45 F. & P, D.