[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎56r] (111/206)

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altitude but very conspicous in the slight undu
lation. The plain in front of us they call the
level valley which runs south-east to near Riyadh
on the western side of J.Toweiq. This is the
quickest route to Riyadh but is through the wil
derness up to Sedus.
We reached the foot of the Nefudh at 6
p.m. (just after sunset), when we alighted for
prayers and coffee. Proceeded thence on level
with plenty of camel grazing until 9.15 p.m,
when we camped in a hollow. The Nefudh between
Zilfi and Boraidah is very green with the shrub
Athar plenty of grazing.
on a deep and broad depression with four stone
pillars built on the cliffs above. This Shaib
Mohammed Ibn Rashid came here with his army when
he conquered Kasim. We halted here 10.30 a.m.
had our usual halt of 35 minutes,then on till
9.5 p.m. and encamped in charming little hollow
in the Nefudh. Going was either over the level
or among hummocks. At about 1-^- hours before
sunset we came upon a deepish depression,running
where we entered it, about dtae N.and S. Here
wer* a long string of villages and walled
gardens,which we perceived as we climbed the
opposite hill. Sandhills or Nefudh,extended as
far as eye could reach on both-directions. The
village we descended into is called Shimasiyah*
We watered our camels at a conduit of water
drawn from a well about 70 75 ft.deep. An
excellent photo jo f this well is given at plate
Mistawi ( lX*- 1 —1. The Mistawi is that long
c.
/3t
29th. Octo ber. 31arted at 6.15,day1ight, and
Dist. h. m.
miles.
marched till 9.30 a.m. camping on stony ground.
After three quarters of an hour’s marching, came
At dawn
Tem, 60
o
) is called Abu Barqa
Marched again at 2.45 p.m. until sunset when we