'Routes in Arabia' [‎358] (391/852)

358
ftotrtE No. 08
Iraad and consists of about 40 brushwood hute clustered round
a ddr. It is situated in Fadhli territory but is occupied by the
Salum, a email independent tribe. To reach it the track winda
among the banks which surround the fields. There is one
U-ell with a limited supply of brackish water. Forage and a few
supplies can generally be obtained here in small quantities.
From Al-Khabt the route leads northward over thd alluvial
Abyan plain to the bank of the Bana. At mile Hagheri Ask
is passed, a wretched hamlet of J dozen reed huts with a few goats
and dogs. There is a good well and some ruined to nibs. After
passing Hagheri Ask trees befeonfd mow numerous And larger,
chiefly arrack Arid Acacia and a few small fan palms. The Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Bana is the boundary between the Fadhli and Yafai. The track
across the river is wiridirig through thick wood, arid branches
may have to be lopped to allow loaded cam6lS to pass. Quick
sands are reported by riatives to exist in some parts ttf the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
so that movement off the track should be rirtdertaken with
caution. Khanfar is 1 mile beyorid the wadx, the track leladitlg
through cultivation Much At certAiri seasons of th6 year is liti
gated by water brought from the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Bana by a ^yst &ft of
water channels fed from the NaziA 6ahAl. KhAn^Ar is A Well -to-
do village in the Abyan, which is the alluvial plairi between
the Wadis Bana and HAsAn. The villa 'ge is the residence of the
Sultan of Lower Yafai fOr a goOd part of the year. Inhere arti
6 dars, several huts, arid 2 shops. The village is situated
on large mounds riear sdmewhat ruinous forts. There !s an old
rmried castle. T^io cAs'tle where the gul'tan lives is A short
distance from the town. There 16 a gunpowder factory An East India Company trading post. of a
pririiTtive kind as saltpetre is foUrid 'clOSe by. On Haid tJabail,
a hill 200 feet high and 400 yards long commanding the village,
is a double fort, well built with large stones, and Also an Ancient
graveyard contaimrig the tomb of a 'cetebrAted saint
Water. —Three good wells, the principal veefl being Hear thfe
Sultan's palace. The water is good and the srip'ply is abrindant.
Water is also generally procurable from the Bama River.
Fuel. —Abundant.
Fodder. —Forage, Icarbi and camel grazing ample.
applies. —The prkicipai crops are millet, oil seed called
duk 'Cin and gilgil. There is a mill for grinding wheat worked
by a camel