Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/210

 of the eastern height, I perceived a shining strip, a path, to which we directed our footsteps. Sbejḥ came on behind us, continually complaining. After six o’clock we saw on the northwest the Ḳlejb Mardûd, on the east the ridge of ʻAṣejfîr, and we then caught sight of the deep basin of ar-Rḳejḳ. The slope now became somewhat more steep and we went down in zigzags along the path. We were very glad when to one side we saw a number of goats and on the southeastern edge of the basin three small tents. At 6.30 we were in the basin and at 6.35 we encamped about five hundred meters north of the tents (temperature: 32.2° C).

Ḫalîl immediately entered the largest tent and after a while returned with a lame man about forty years of age, who was willing to act as our guide. Ḫalîl apologized for having brought us a lame guide (Fig. 74), but he said that this was the only adult male in the tents. All the rest of the men and youths were away on a raid. The new guide explained that while he was still a lad a large stone had fallen on his right foot and had crushed it. Since then he could only walk with a crutch and lived on the generosity of others. “My property consists of a two-year old camel, ḳaʻajjed, ten small goats, and four little girls.” The tent in which he lived did not belong to him but to the chief, his relative, who was not there. Sbejḥ recovered as soon as he had obtained his wages, and was quite satisfied because he had obtained more than he had expected. The night was peaceful and we were able to rest.

On Monday, June 27, 1910, we left our encampment at five o’clock in the morning (temperature: 24° C), proceeding through the šeʻîb in a southerly direction. On the surrounding rocks Ṯamûd inscriptions could be seen here and there. My camel went lame in its left forefoot and about every two minutes limped so much that it sank down on its knees. Jumping down from the saddle, I examined its foot and in the sole found a sharp stone about the size of a hazel-nut. I extracted the stone and stopped up the wound with cotton wool, which, however, immediately fell out. Sand penetrated into the wound, and whenever the animal stepped on a sharp stone it nearly sank down to its knees, but nevertheless I had to move forward.