"الملف 73/7 II (D 22) وضع الكويت - سكة حديد بغداد، والمفاوضات الأنجلو تركية" [و‎‎١‎٤‎١] (٥٤٠/٢٨٧)

iSth February. —Marched at 8-50 and in two hours came on traces of
ancient reservoirs called Gulban. These appear to have been well -and solidly
built though filled up and barely visible now ; found some greenish-glazed pottery
chips round them quite unlike anything obtainable now in Kuwait or amongst
Bedouins and which appear to be old. Passed large camps of Soluba with
numbers of mangy camels but splendid flocks of sheep. Good steady marching
until 4 p. M. when we halted among a number of Breh Umtair tents. The Shaikh
is away raiding and rejoices in the name of The father of the Long Mustachois"!
igth February. —Bought some sheep for the larder and then sent off AH
bin Aatnir with a post to Kuwait and orders to meet me on the Gaishaniya road
with the return post. Marched at 9 a. m. about north-east follwing the Al
Batin which seems to be broadening out and getting gradually shallower. Passed
some more traces of reservoirs about an hour before camping at 3-30 p. m., just
beyond the opening in the eastern bank where the Shigat-al-Wasiya debouches
into Al Batin. Fairly good going. Clouds of sand-grouse all the way. One of
the reservoirs we passed is said to have been excavated by the Dhafir tribes
men some years ago to a depth of 20 fathoms in the hope of re-utilizing it.
Water was not reached but the building was good solid stone set in mortar.
20th February. —Marched at 8-45 a. m. keeping a little more north than
before, and sighted Jarishan Hill at 1 -15 p.m. Kept on through magnificent
grazing and camped at 3-30 p. m. close to Jarishan hill and one of Knox's pre
vious camps. Camels travelling well.
21st February. —Marched at 8-40 following the bottom of Al Batin which
is beginning almost to disappear. At 11-30 reached Halaiba with traces of old
wells and a clump of stunted wild-plum trees, looking very dried»up and dead, but
still the first thing in the shape of a tree seen in the whole of this trip. Quarter
of an hour after came on a camp of Mubarak's nephews (the sons of the murder-.
ed Muhammad bin Subah) whose home is in Zubair, but who were out here
hawking. 1 hey complained that there was little sport this year owing to the
excellent rains. Sent on the " hamla " and stopped to an al fresco lunch with
them, eaten sitting round in the common circle a 1' Arabe. Caught up the
'* hamla " at 2-30 p m. who were heading too much towards Safwan. Altered
course for Ar Ratk and got there by 4-15 p. m. and camped. Got good bear
ings, but it is unfortunate having left the u hamla " as 1 shall not be able to be
so certain about to'day's dead-reckoning. Al Batin ends here.
22nd February —Marched east-south-east at 8-35 so as to leave Sanam
hill on our left and make a bee-line for the Gishaniya wells. Passed several
water-courses, but the ground is bare compared to the splendid grazing in Al
Batin. Camped at 2-50 p.m. after some very good going. In sight of Sanam
and with Safwan-fort due north.
22rd February. —Marched at 8-50 and reached the Gishaniya wells in 2
hours, turned south then for some good grazing ground and camped after about
half an hour. Ghanaim arrived in evening with post from Kuwait.
24th February. —Halted and enjoying a rest, though a number of evil-look
ing Thukara, apparently the off-scourings of the river towns and allied to the
Muntafik have their tents near us. A shot was fired at our tents yesterday in
the afternoon, but we could not lay hands on the culprit.
2$th February.—Mzxchedi at 8-25 and struck a bit south-west to make the
high road between Jahara and Safwan which runs almost perfectly straight between
the two places and not as shown on the map. Were sniped at for some time by
Thukara who refused to be convinced by the waving of cloaks that we were peaca-
ble travellers. Finally, had to go and threaten them with Mubarak's wrath before
they would desist. As no one was hurt the fire was not worth returning. Looked
like rain so camped at 4-5 p.m. on the main road close to the mounds called
Hissu-ud-Thabi. Rain began soon after and kept up most of the night.
26th February. —Could not march, tents being soaked through but hea^d
that Lyle of Gray, Mackenzie & Co. in Basra, was camped a mile further on,
returning from a visit to the Shaikh at Kuwait, Sent him a message to