Tues. Dec 16 [16 December 1913] Left the hospital about 7.30 Dr M.
[Mackinnon] in his dressing gown and Mrs M. bidding me goodbye.
Jirji drove me and Ibrahim. At Harashtah heard that the camels had
gone on. Apricots all in golden leaf, corn springing under the olives,
peasants gathering olives. Picked up the camels where the Nebk
[An Nabk] road branches off. M. wanted to camp at 'Adra ['Adhra']
but I refused. So we filled 4 girbehs bought 3 chickens and got off at
11.15. Fortunately fine. Flat dull plain. Got into camp at 2.5 just S. of
Dumair [Dumayr] - about 4 miles away I judge. No soldiers there now.
Ghiyath in the qishla. 'Ali went off to get a rafiq. Great business
getting into camp and finding the things but Ibrahim and Salim most
cheerful and willing. I have with me as camel drivers, Ali, Abdallah
and Faraj (the latter blackish) and an 'Abd, Fellah, who was sprung
upon me, I having refused to take a 4th man. 'Ali Smugga[?] and
Muhammad al Ma'rawi make up my company. All the 3 camel drivers
are 'Agail. The rain fortunately held off till towards 6 by which time we
had camped. Quite a good dinner, with meat from Damascus
[Dimashq (Esh Sham, Damas)].