Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/189

 Tebûk and the Commander in Damascus. Šerîf laughed at the guide Sbejḥ, because he could not satisfy his hunger. According to what Šerîf said, he had received more than one and one-half roṭol (three and one-half kilograms) of rice, and he was still complaining that his stomach was half-empty. After supper we proceeded through the uplands of al-Medârîǧ (Fig. 66) and at 7.20 crossed numerous paths leading to the well of ad-Dimež.

A violent, cold, west wind arose and drove the sand into our eyes. After nine o’clock we searched in the šeʻîb of al-ʻWejned for a place with abundant pasture for the camels, but in vain. The šeʻîb and also the surrounding district were entirely parched. Sbejḥ declared that there had been no rains in these regions for years. At 9.50 we encamped behind a low, isolated knoll.

On Thursday, June 23, 1910, we all complained of the cold. Having left the camping place at 4.26 A. M., we went on foot in the šeʻîb of al-ʻWejned to warm ourselves. On the