Jan 8

A clear morning, wind [?] later. ‘Abdullah went off to see what the others were doing. He returned with ‘Ali, [?], and Fattuh! Immense joy. F. still looks pale and ill. He brought us the latest letters, one from D. of Dec. 23. After lunch I rode with Ali to Mshetta – or the ghost of it. All standing doors are set back. No sight of the shell[?] niche. Graffiti, I doubt if any are old. As we rode back we saw 3 horsemen coming to our tents and when we got there 3 soldiers were seated at our campfire. They were speedily followed by several more, 10 or 12 in all, and a very [?] chowwish, Jusef. It seems they have been looking for me every where and telegraphing from C’ple. I saw the game was up. After [?], an [?] from F. of some untimely following of us, he was sent off to prison in the Qal’ah at Ziza. Also Abdullah, whom I had sent to Madeba with telegrams was intercepted and taken to the Qal’ah. Men were then posted all round my tent and our arms taken.