Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/219

 on the southeastern slope of ad-Dâra, which runs northeast and southwest. Behind ad-Dâra rises the southern peak of Mount Šejbân, known as aš-Širṯ, from near which, to the south, flow the copious springs of al-Lowza and ad-Difla. South of ad-Dâra extends the low ridge of Abu Ḳarnejn, upon which are two peaks, and to the southeast of Abu Ḳarnejn appears the broad elevation of al-Muḫteleṣ.

Upon leaving the water of al-Bêẓa at 6.23 we rode in a southerly direction through a plain covered with coarse gravel. Our guide told us that he had been on his way to al-Kerak for grain and he complained that the railway causes very high prices throughout the country. Before the railway was built the grain at al-Kerak and al-Belḳa’ was much cheaper. Now a camel load (one hundred and fifty kilograms) of barley costs five meǧîdijjât (about $4.50) at Kerak, and a load of rice at al-Weǧh costs fourteen meǧîdijjât and a half (about $13.05). The rice is bought by the chiefs alone and they give it only to specially honored guests. The rest of the Beni ʻAṭijje are glad if they can sometimes bake a single loaf. If the semḥ thrives, they mix the flour made from it with