Page:The Northern Ḥeǧâz (1926).djvu/43

 from whom I should have to take a guide as well. He added that he was expecting a visit from the chief Ḥarb eben ʻAṭijje with whom I could discuss the matter.

In the afternoon I was informed by the servant Šerîf that some of the Ḥwêṭât were demanding payment for the camels which ʻAwde had sent to Maʻân for us. Mḥammad, ʻAwde’s negro, claimed that all these camels belonged to the chief, who had received various gifts from me in return for the animals. But it turned out that ʻAwde had sent only one of his own camels, while the five others belonged to different members of the Ḥwêṭât, who were now asking the sum of six meǧîdijjât ($5.40) for each and in addition a special gift to every guide. Before I had dealt with this awkward business, Fawzân came and asked me whether I could not offer ʻAwde a pair of binoculars as a gift. I replied that I needed my good binoculars for myself and my companions. Fawzân excused himself for having come to me, saying that it was the chief’s command and that the latter would like either a pair of binoculars or firearms or some other gifts. Realizing that ʻAwde would like the binoculars, the firearms, and the other gifts as well, I announced my extreme regret at being unable to give him anything, as I had brought with me only absolute necessities, having left the gifts, the extra firearms and binoculars, among my stores at Maʻân, whence they would follow me to Tebûk. However, as I should be very pleased to comply with the chief’s wishes, I would ask him to send one of his slaves to me at Damascus, where, after returning from my journey, I would give him everything that remained. If he did not wish to send to Damascus, then I would forward the things he asked for to his friend and brother, Prince an-Nûri eben Šaʻlân, who would certainly deliver them to him in the interior of the desert. Fawzân went away and ʻAwde did not put in an appearance.

It was after four o’clock in the afternoon when four men came riding up on camels to the chief’s tent. They were the chief Ḥarb eben ʻAṭijje with his retinue. Ḥarb was about forty-two years old. The expression of his face revealed sagacity, but at the same time it aroused repugnance. He was a blood relative of ʻAwde, his mother being a sister of ʻAwde’s father, and he had married ʻAwde’s daughter. Ḥarb announced that by the well of al-Mšejṭijje, northeast of the railway station of al-Mdawwara, his men had perceived a troop of