'Routes in Arabia' [‎383] (416/852)

383
Route No, 103— contd.
rocky hills with a bad crossing over a nullah, in which water
is found all the year. To the east is Jabal Dafar with some
ruins and tanks, and to the west Jabal Nakha. At m. 3| a water
fall is passed and 2 at m. 4| a track joins on the east from the
Babub Pass. At m. 4| is Az-Zanadh (Zanad) lying amidst
cultivation ; one well of good water, forage and ordinary supplies
* i n sm all quantities. Thence the path leads over a low stony
pass. At m. 5} another track joins on the east from the Babub
pass. At m. 6| is Kaflat Zabaid (Zobed) on the far side of an
open cultivated" valley. Three wells, of which the best one is
west of the village. Here tracks join from 'the east; one from
the Ath-Thauba pass, the other from the Ar-Rabadh pass. There
is a good well, Bir Shabanu, near the village.
Hence two paths lead to Dhali'. The one to the west of
Kaflat Zubaid passes between that village and Al-Marsaba, up a
narrow cultivated valley, Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Diak, well wooded with ulub
trees. At m. 7| is a steep rocky ascent of 200 feet, after which
the path is nearly level, past the village of Habil Di Ishar to
Dhali. The other path from Zubaid passes east of Kaflat Zubaid,
and w'-'st of Laghwal, winds among rocky hills, quite good and
easy. At m. 7 ascends, rather steeply, to cross a col, whence it
descends easily skirting the foot of the steep hill east of Dhali
town, till it enters Dhali' from the east. The latter path is the
more direct for troops camped north of Dhali town.
The stage is practicable for laden camels, mules and horses,
but the roughness of the first half makes progress slow. The path
is commanded by hills on each side throughout. The shrine of
Wali Hasan is visible throughout, and would be useful for sig
nalling communications. At Dhali is the residence of the Amir
V on the top of a rocky hill. The town clusters at the northern
foot of this hill and partly up its slopes. On the western side
of the town is an open space where the weekly market is held on
Thursdays. The ground right up to the town is terraced for
cultivation. Population about 2,400. Six wells of good water;
supply unlimited. Forage and ordinary provisions and supplies
of every kind plentiful.
7 QA 'TABAH .. 1 l|m. The track leaves Dhali
(K ataba ). i n a northerly direc-
qq m tion to m. J and thence
J - turns north-north-west. The descent is gradual the whole way.
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