Page 41 - Arabian Studies (V)

Lieutenant Wyburd's Journal of an Excursion into Arabia 31
character paid my respects to the Sheikh. I was rather surprised when on
entering the assembly I was much pointed at; the enigma was soon
explained by the Sheikh who was very particular in his enquiries relative to
the position of Ibrahim Pasha; I told him that I had no correct intelligence
from that quarter but had heard while to the Northward that he had taken
Haleb and Aka [Aleppo and ‘Akka (Acre)]. We have heard replied the
Sheikh that he and the major part of his army had fallen victims to the
plague. Do you think it true? I said, No. He then rejoined how long is it
since you were with Ibrahim Pasha for we know who you are: that man
(pointing to a Bedouin who sat opposite me) says he saw you with the
Pasha last year. I told him that he must be mistaken, never having been in
Syria in my life. The Bedouin told the Sheikh he was convinced I was the
same whom he had seen commanding a body of Arnacts23 at the taking of
Iskunderia [Iskenderun (Alexandretta)]. I attempted to negative what this
man asserted, but found the current of belief too strong against me. The
Sheikh then wished to know my intention of coming into Nedjd. I told him
my real motive was a desire to visit the holy city. The Sheikh said it might
be the case, but that I was too soon by two months; if you really are what
you represent yourself to be why do you not marry and settle here—I
declined this under the plea that I already had two wives at Baghdad. Well
replied the Chief, there is one piece of advice I would give you: the brother

A MAP
✓
THE OASES, EL HASA.
* —U.J
mu? /V-..
t £ Zi:r
' .r
• •
f

Wyburd’s map of the Hasa Oases, 1832.