Mon. March 27 [27 March 1911] At 5.30 Temp 45 Bar 29.1. We parted
from Muhammad the Kurd and took a pleasant Zelameh with us to
show us the way. Left Bin Kudra at 6.15 and rode down to some reed
huts by the Diala [Diyala (Sirwan)] where we met the Abu Kelek. He
led us through high reeds to the river's edge a very little below the
opposite village, Kala Sherwan in about 1/2 an hour from Bin Kudra.
Another Zelameh came fording over the arm of the stream, the water
up to his waist and very swift. We forded that arm amid a fearful rush
of waters. The donkey was swept away and spilt 'Abud into the river.
Some of the kelekjis went after him, another helped up 'Abud and
finally both were brought safely over. The second arm was very
deep as well as swift. There was a small reed kelek on 19 skins
(darb) which was brought over. We blew up the skins, loaded the
kelek with our 6 boxes and sent it off with 'Abud on top. Then I went
over with the rest of the afsh. The current at the further side under a
low conglomerate cliff, very swift. Abud caught the rope and brought
us safely in. He had lighted a small fire which I helped to feed. The
next load was the pack saddles (samr) Then two of the kelekjis
stripped naked, got onto the 2 mares, the rest of the horses were
driven in and all swam over. Awful to see them swept down by the
stream, only their heads out of water. My mare reared and plunged till
she got out of her depth, unseating her rider who held on by her mane.
Finally the donkey was bound and laid on the kelek, F. [Fattuh] sitting
on his head and Muhammad on his tail and all got over safely.
Meantime I fed the naked kelekjis on dates and covered them with
horse clothing. The men had a hard business to get the loads up the
pebbly cliff. At 9.45 we had reloaded and started on our way down the
river bank and then across corn fields. Kara Bulak [Qara Bulaq], a
small mud village, 11.30. We rode on, with occasional heavy
showers across a wide shallow valley, all corn, and cut with water
courses. At 2.10 we passed a small village called I think Dilwar under
the low hills to the left of us. Tents and flocks scattered over the hills
on either side. At 3.30 we came to Rahem Warka, a biggish village.
At 4.10 we got to another village, big too, on the edge of a stream. On
Kei[?] Imam is the nearest I cd get to its name - the Imam stands on
the opposite hill and all this region is called after it. The whole valley
covered with corn. At 5.30 we got outside the gardens of Kifri
(Salahiyyeh) which stands at the opening of a gorge in the low hills.
We camped by the road, as it was late and then found that the nuktah
was the other side of the town. F. went to get soldiers and did not get
back till 7. At 8 the Zabit came to see me and was very polite, a
Kerkukli.