Feb 15. [15 February 1914] We came yesterday to a well, one of the
rare wells on the edge of the Nefud [Nafud, An], and I rode down to
see the watering. Haizan [Bir Hayzan] is a profound depression
surrounded by steep sand hills and the well itself is very deep - our
well rope was 48 paces long. They say it is a work of the
awwaliyin[?], the first forefathers, and certainly no Beduin of today
would cut down into the rock and build the dry walling of the upper
parts - but who can tell how old it is? There are no certain traces of
age, only sand and the deep well hole. We found a number of Arabs
watering their camels, the Annazeh clan of the Awaji who were
camped near us. The men worked half naked with the passionate
energy which the Arabs will put into their job for an hour or two - no
more. I watched and photographed and they left me unmolested,
though none had seen a European of any kind before. One or two
protested at first against the photography, but the Shammar with me
reassured them and I went on in peace. We go two days more
through the Nefud because it is said to be the safest road and I am
filled with a desire not be stopped now, so near Hayyil [Hail]. My
bearings are onto Jebel Misma' [Misma, Jibal], which is but a few
day's journey from Ibn al Rashid. I want to bring this adventure to a
prosperous conclusion since we have come so far salinun - in the
security of God.