Sat March 20. [20 March 1909] On the further side of the tank there is
an arrangement of open spaces for the overflow which was
conducted down into the valley through a rock cut channel. We saw a
very large flock of gazelles, quite close. Fattuh had a shot at them but
did not hit them though he came very near. We rode back in 51/2
hours exclusive of a halt at 'Ain Za'zu' where we lunched. There is
another ain called El Asfariyyeh about 21/2 hours from Kebeisa
[Kubaysah] on the way to Wady Muhammadi. The Mudir and 2 others
came to tea with me, after which I visited Fawaz and found the
assembled town there. Yesterday 8 donkeys out wood gathering
were stolen from the unarmed men with them by the Deleim. Some
excitement has been caused by news that a Deleim living here (the
husband of Shemsa) has stolen a mare and a rifle from their owner
near Ramadi [Ramadi, Ar]. The mare and rifle have been recaptured
- the mare stands below in the Mudir's yard. The man is I think still in
his house and as he is a relative of the Mudir's perhaps nothing will
happen to him. After dinner Shemsa came to beg me to get the rifle
back. She is one of the most beautiful women I ever saw but ill
thought of because of the husbands she has had - 5 and only one
died. She is 32. Her eyebrows were drawn with a straight line of
indigo. 3 blue dots were set between them, one on the tip of her nose
and an upright line of them on her chin. Her hands and arms were all
tattooed. The general opinion is that she will get back the gun with
suitable tips to the Mudir and the soldiers.