Page 110 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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SOUTH-WESTERN ROUTES (Nos. 40-66) 57 ’

Tainrah (65 miles farther on), little, with the possible exception of
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c^inel-fodder, can be counted on. Brackish water is reported at
one or two places along these stages.
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(ill) Routes in the Aden Protectorate

A selection only of Aden routes is described in this handbook. It
is sufficient to indicate the way to the more important social
centres; but in so well populated and settled a district as South-
Western Arabia "many more cross-routes are in continual use. I
For fuller information the Military Report of the Aden Govern­ i
ment, or the Indian Government’s Road Book of Arabia, should be
consulted.

(a) Of roads described in the following chapter three lead far
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into Yemen. Route No. 60 (from Aden to Mocha via Sheikh SaTd)
is suited only to mounted parties, preferably camel sowars, or to
convoys, on account of the distances between some of the wells.
It is mostly heavy going over sandy desert, but offers no special
difficulties to laden camels.

Supplies. Water is plentiful, but mostly brackish and suitable
only for animals. There is good water from springs at one or two .
places. Forage is scanty along the actual route, but foodstuffs can
be obtained, at some points, from the fertile districts inland, except
along the Sheikh Sa‘Id-Mocha section. There is sufficient grazing
for camels, as a rule.

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Route No. 61 is the trunk road from Aden up to the Yemen>
Highlands and along their axis to San‘a. From Aden to Musemir : :
(Mus‘aimir) it runs through open and fairly level country, with heavy : 1 ■
sand in parts, till the mountains are entered ; wheeled artillery and
camel-carts can be taken as far as Nubat Dalum. From Musemir to
Qa'tabah it ascends through hilly country, and is difficult and
liable to interruption by floods in Wadi Tiban. From Qa!tabah
to Yerim it lies through wild broken country, with sudden steep
ascents and descents, and generally is bad going; it is suitable in :
the greater part for mules only. Harris describes this section
, fche route as 1 of the greatest difficulty ’ ; he adds that through
wild broken country, road grows rougher as it proceeds \ From
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, erira t0 San*a there is a succession of high plains divided bv rough
>ut not very elevated ridges. The going in this stage is good on the
hole, but with some difficult ascents and descents. The last sta^e
' ter Wa‘lan, is quite easy.
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