Page 211 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

6 NEGLECTED ARABIA

the large number of Bedouin, particularly women and children begging
for food at every door. Probably one woman’s story is more or less
typical of many of these. Her brothers had been killed in battle, her
husband had deserted or divorced her and all their camels and sheep
and goats had died of hunger and thirst. Under such depressing
circumstances, when food and plunder cannot any more be gotten by
war, religious zeal even of the Ikhwan must decline.
The medical work in Bahrein is gradually becoming more and more
known and we are to some extent reaping the results of the past efforts
to penetrate Nejd. Dr. Harrison has twice visited Riadh and this is
now my second visit and each visit has been better than the preceding
one. Also the large number of Bedouin and townspeople who came
to us from Nejd and Hassa naturally make a visit to their country
easier for us. The result is that a stranger is not so entirely strange
anymore. They are learning that we are interested in their welfare
and nothing else. Then, too, Nejd has been visited by a few other
Occidentals of recent years. Col. Hamilton, Major Philby, Dr. Mann,
and Amin Kihani have all visited these parts in the last ten years. Nejd
is slowly opening.
My present treatment of the Sultan was a third factor. An evidence
uf this is that during the first two weeks of my slay I was treuted
more cordially than since. After the Sultan was all well, a gradual
change was noticed which is becoming more evident every day. The *
Sultan is both very much feared and very much loved by all his sub­
jects. The great multitude who came to his reception and the ovation
lie was given when going to and coming from the Mosque that first
Friday were ample evidence of that But yet I cannot but believe that
my treatment of the Sultan both in Hassa this spring and here in t
Riadh this winter were the Lord's ways of helping us to get into
Hassa and the interior.
You will probably ask, “What about the permanent occupation?"
1
I can only say, not yet. When I came here I was minded to press
’
strongly the point of a hospital in Hassa. I spoke about it, but did i
not press the point. The answer was chiefly, “God willing, you will
build a hospital in Hassa soon.!’ With a brother of the Sultan I spoke :
more freely and it was plainly told me that at present there was no •
chance to occupy Hassa permanently unless we were willing to forego '
our prayers, which I of course told him we would not. The Sultan,
however, assured me that he would like us to visit both Hassa and
Riadh and probably Kaseem as well every year.
I had no difficulty in getting permission to go to Kaseem. In
the Sultan suggested my going when I was in Hassa this spring, and
when 1 expressed a desire to go there this time he at once gave hi»
consent, It will be interesting to see what this new adventure will
bring forth.