[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎48r] (95/206)

I
-7-
Heard from Barazi that the Turks have agent
out "buying camels from, the Shammar and have al
ready secured a large number. Ibn Rashid is a
arranging the purchase for them. Have heard of
no Turkish or German officers about.
plain shut in by low hills, after 8 hours’ march,
■“■arched over very rough stony ground crossing
some water-courses, deeply scoured apparently by
floods. Water appears to flow north. Still
cloudy. South breeze; very cool. The Shagra
caravan in 3 large squadrons followed us at
about 3 miles distance.
Khathayar,the six-foot Zanzibar negro
servant sent to look after me by the Shaikh of
Mohammerah, had a swelling on his thumb. Had to
operate with a penknife; filled up with boracic
and bandaged. After the pus came out Khathyar
had instant relief; hope he gets all right again
soon. Last night he slept beside me, suspecting
treachery on part of some Shammar guests of ours.
This marching with a caravan is tiring,but it
seems advisable in view of our untrustworthy
Shammar Rafeeks, to stick to them till we reach
the real ’’d irah ” of the Mtair.
Mohamed ibn Dahabas with my compliments to the
Ameer of the caravan to enquire when he intended
to halt. His reply which was polite and florid
amounted to this that his camels were a rotten
lot and in bad condition and that he intended
halting at the first place where camel grazing
was to be had. So I sent Mirahed o nto look
for a camp. He found a charming little hollow,
with plenty of grass (Nussi) for the horse.
List. 52 hours.
miles.
19th, Started at dawn reached camp,a circular
List. 61 hours
miles
20th. Marched badly for about 9 hours trying in