Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/161

 each other at the top. Here we vainly searched for pasturage for our camels. Only some isolated ratam and šîḥ grew there and these plants were all dead. The walls enclosing this šeʻîb are of black granite, which had absorbed the burning rays of the sun and was giving out an unbearable heat. As no breath of air could penetrate the deep šeʻîb, we felt as if we were passing through a fiery furnace. The road was very difficult, because the camels had to walk over piles of stones and sand which had drifted there. Our guide drew our attention to the fact that we were approaching even more difficult places and advised us to let our camels rest. We did so from 11.32 to one o’clock (temperature: 35° C). Finding no pasturage the animals kneeled down and gazed sadly at us (Fig. 59). After 1.30 we reached the water of as-Sîḳ, which fills a narrow fissure in the rock whence it does not flow out, as much of it evaporates. Behind the water rises a rocky wall, about fifteen meters high, which completely shuts off the šeʻîb on the east. Only a narrow and scarcely distinguishable little path leads upwards through a rocky cleft. Our camels were afraid to attempt this path. Leading my animal, which was urged on by Rifʻat,