Page 44 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

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COMMUNICATIONS
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Zobeidah routes from Samawah and Nejef to Ha il (see below,
p. 26 f.) Turkish columns have twice marched comparatively
recently (1903 and 1905). On the first occasion ^,000 men, and
on the second six battalions got through to Ha il and beyond.
But it should be observed that, on each occasion, they had been
invited by the Emir of Ha’il, who provided guidance and transport.
Without these facilities (still more, had the Emir actively opposed)
the result would, in all likelihood, have been different. The
distance from Samawah to Ha’il was covered by Ahmed Eeizi s
force (late winter, 1905) in about three weeks.
Supplies. It goes almost without saying that, under ordinary
circumstances, supplies are unprocurable on every one of these
routes, except at their starting and arrival points. As for food­
stuffs, animals for killing might be obtained from herdsmen near
the tracks, if the passage were made in spring. Forage, except
such as camels can eat, is equally non-existent. The only fuel is
afforded by sparse and low bush vegetation in the desert hollows,
and a comparatively small party would soon exhaust a considerable
area round its camp. Water, except immediately after rain, when
khabrahs (pools) might be met with, is everywhere scanty and diffi­
cult of access. The only intermediate wells yielding a sufficient
supply for more than a small party are those at Jubbah, Hayyanlyah,
Hazil, Shaqiq, Loqah, Leinah, and others within a radius of seventy
miles from Ha’il.

(i) Routes from Jauf

In addition to those set out in detail, there is a direct track across
Che Nefud to Teima; but since it crosses much heavy sand, has
•* never been traversed by a European, and is, apparently, not much
used, it is not described among our Routes. In common with Route
No. 1, it is rendered unsafe at present by predatory Huteini durino-
the only seasons when it could be travelled without great suffering?

On the general character of Route No. 1 (from Jaul to Ha’il via
Jubbah), see above. Its track lies mainly across the Nefud and is
very trying and tedious owing to the constant ascents and descents
of the billowy dunes and gigantic horse-hoof hollows, characteristic
of this region, and to the long detours which have frequently to be
made in avoiding the larger and sandier of them. The undulations
for the most part are covered with deep and loose sand in which
the animals’ feet often sink very low. These the Bedouins of the
district call by the name felj, or felq, and qa'r, plurs. fuluj, fuluq
qu nr (see also Vol. I, Chap. XII). J