Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/193

 entered the splendid rocky šeʻîb of Umm Buṭum with high steep sides, through which we again reached al-ʻWejned (Fig. 68). The latter šeʻîb is scarcely ten meters broad; its bed is covered with sand to a considerable depth and is bordered by precipitous rocks. On the rocks are carved various tribal signs, numerous primitive drawings, and also a few brief inscriptions. We remained among the rocks from 2.30 to 2.46. Not far away there was a rain well, but it had dried up.

From 3.05 to 3.40 we halted by the rain well of ar-Radhe, which contained water, so that we were able to fill one water bag. Thence we continued our journey across smooth rocks, which rose like a staircase and were so steep that we had to lead our camels. At 4.15 we climbed an elevation and saw extended before us the curious rock formations so typical of the uplands of Ḥesma (temperature: 35° C).

At 4.45 we dismounted by the cluster of rocks called Dbejsuwât, on the eastern spur of which there is a sand drift more than two meters deep and covered with arṭa and ṛaẓa, so that our camels were able to eat their fill. I ordered