Ap. 18. [18 April 1914] Relentless Hamad today, flat, flat and flat, with
the tiny 5 foot rises hanging over the mirage for miles away, and then
descending as we drew near and sitting down on the Hamad again -
no more that 5 ft rises after all. We saw the ruined gateway of the
'Amej [Qasr 'Amij] fort to the {left} right and shortly afterwards dropped
into the post road - post road no more, the desert post has ceased to
be. He we met 'Anazeh of the Amarat and asked the news. Where
were the shaikhs, what was happening in the Syrian desert? The
ghazzu of which we saw the footprints yesterday was, as we
conjectured, Shammar. They had lifted some 40 camels this morning
and ridden away. They would not have touched us, I think, but one is
always glad not to meet ghazzus. Fahd Beg, the chief shaikh of the
Amarat, whom we hoped to met at Ga'rah (where we are to part from
'Adwan) is probably not there - he was there and has most likely left,
as is their habit. There is a nephew of Fahd's camped not far from us;
'Adwan is going off to see him. We may perhaps take an 'Anazeh
rafiq from here - if we can get one. I have played about so much in the
Syrian desert that perhaps I am disposed not to treat it with the
respect it deserves, but it's clear we must have an 'Anazeh rafiq. You
realize what I am busy with? it's the first half of the old road from
Damascus [Dimashq (Esh Shams, Damas)] to the Euphrates for
which I am looking. I have followed the second half, from Muhaiwir
[Muhaywir] to the Euphrates; that was in the year of snow. We reach
Muhaiwir tomorrow; the road westward is all unknown to me, but I have
heard of two small ruins in it which I want. We marched quickly today,
and long hours. I succeeded in sleeping on my camel which I have
never done before! For a full half hour - I was very proud when I woke
up and looked at my watch. There were no bearings to be taken, for
we were on the post road which goes quite straight to Muhaiwir.
Otherwise I could not have slept. Ibn Sha'lan has been raiding, and
Fahd Beg has been raiding - well, I hope they will be content with
raiding each other and not bother with us.