Thurs 24 [24 May 1900] Off at 5.30, mules not ready. The 'Agail were
off at 5, Sh. Muhammad carrying two waterskins for me. About 9
caught them up making coffee and baking bread. They eat awfully
little. Got to Kasr el Khair [Qasr al Hayr] at 12 and then found that
Muhammad's skins were empty and Jacoub had refused to carry his
2 so we hadn't enough water to stop in the desert. On to Wady el
Kebir (1-2.45) and decided to ride straight in to Karyatein [Al
Qaryatayn] leaving the 'Agail. 'Ali, Muhammad, Ahmed and I got in at
6 and established ourselves in the garden of 'Abdullah el Houry.
Hannah and Musa arrived at 6 and the mules came in at 9.30. Tired,
not very fit.