Wed 23. [23 May 1900] Off at 5. Windy and very cold till 9. Stormy
sunrise. At the Ain Abu Fouaris, met the merchant Muhammad of the
'Agail [Arabic characters] and his people with camels which they
were taking to Damascus [Dimashq (Esh Sham, Damas)]. Also
some Baghdadis with them. Drank coffee and camels' milk and eat
dates and all off together. 5 camel riders and my soldiers and their
soldiers and I. So I met Miss Blount and Miss [space left blank]
driving to Palmyra [Tadmur] with their dragoman on the box and
stopped to talk to them. Got to 'Ain el Baida ['Ayn al Bayda'] at 11.30,
very hot. Had my tents put up lunched and slept. Watched the 'Agail
drawing water for their camels.