Page 268 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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ROUTE 18 : ARAB A—JAUF EL ‘AMR 137
X
miles.
total, stages.
and the banks of the Wadi Yitm diminish
in height.
2 m. From this point a spring, JMoyat el-Khaldah,
is distant about £ m. on r.
1 m. Wadi Makhlaqah on r. (alt. 2,195 ft.).
£ m. Wadi Filq on 1. The valley now opens into
a broad stony plain, nearly half a mile across,
bounded by steep rocks.
• • * 34 m. Wadi Abu Subeilah on 1.
1 j m. Wadi Buteihah on r.
Dir. now inclines towards ENE.
4 m. Wadi Mudheifein on 1. Route has now en­
tered the IJisma, a broad stony plain with
sandstone outcrops and scanty vegetation,
running NNW.-SSE. It is subject to raids
by the Ma'zi and other sub-tribes of the
‘Atlyah. From this point it is 6 m. to end
of stage.
34£ 174 Khirbat el-Quweirah (alt. 2,340 ft.), a ruined Roman
fort commanding the plain, now a Turkish
military post. The fort has sides of about
55 yds., and square towers at the corners. There
is a gate in the S. wall, and a large courtyard
round which are numerous chambers used as
tombs by the ‘Alawin. About 25 yds. from the
SE. corner is a rock-hewn cistern about 40 yds.
in length. (Presence of water not reported by
Musil.)
l£m. TFndi Muleih on 1. ; at the head of this,
distant about 5 m., is a spring, ‘Ain Muleih,
V.
said to be frequented by the ‘Alawin.
2| m. Wadi el-'Abid on r., running SW.
14 m. Route here leaves the Wadi Yitm, and crosses
the N. part of the Hisina plain, changing
direction to NE. by E.
2 m. Hardbat el-‘Abid, at head of the Wadi el-
‘Abid, a large cistern hewn in the sandstone,
and approached through a low door with
steps. (Water indicated in Musil’s map,
and probably present, though not definitely
reported.)

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