"الطرق في بلاد فارس" [‎٤‎٧‎٩] (٨٥٢/٥١٢)

479
Route No. 128 {h)—contd.
The brook is crossed at mile 18, and from here the track rises
rapidly in steep zigzags (very bad surface) up on to the plateau
of Hajrah at mile 21. Here the path debouches on to bare rock
Commanded at extreme range from a position on Jabal Shibam to
the right front, and still dominated by the heights of Masar
on the left.
Hajrah pass is surmounted at mile 21, with Hajrah village
600 yards to the left of the road on a commanding knoll. From
this point Masar no longer dominates the route which descends
uteeply south-east for 500 feet to mile 25, then curves round suc
cessive spurs of Jabal Shibam ; the slopes of that system are close
on the right, and its deep ravines and spans drop steeply away
from the left of the road to join the mTain valley of Shabt. These
ravines are spanned by well-made arches of dressed stone.
At mile 26 the road comes under command of Forts Hadar
and Baih, which show just above Manakhah to the front.
At mile 27, occur troughs and springs for watering animals
just to the left of, and below, the road.
At mile 27^, a white-domed spring for human needs is passed
on the left, while up the slopes to the right may be seen the
ravine of Ma'agl whence the track of the subterranean water-
supply to the hospital, arsenal, and mosque, may be traced
round a contour of Manakhah spur by the line of green vege
tation. On this spur, 200 feet above and to the right of the
road, is a windmill tor grinding Government corn. Here too are
the outskirts of the town, and the slaughter-ground, while im
mediately to the left of the road are the Turkish cemetery and
parade ground, the latter overlooked by the Staff Office and
Hukumah.
At mile 28, enter Manakhah up a slight ascent. The post and
telegraph office are on the left, opposite the Hukumah, where
the road curves round the northern edge of the town to top
Manakhah spur.
Manakhah stands on a spur of the Shibam system running
down north-north-eash to the town, and rising again towards
the two forts of Hadar and Bai. On the rise towards the glacis
of Fort Baih stands the suburb of^Little Manakhah. The
arsenal and barracks adjoin each other on the crest of the ridge
surrounded by the town. The population of Manakhah is
(about 5,000, of whom about 1,000 are Jews, Water is plentifu