138
THE NORTHERN ḤEǦÂZ
guide, made a sketch map of the surrounding district. About an hour later ʻAfnân rode up accompanied by six men and asked us to proceed farther eastward. After riding for ten minutes through a dense palm forest, we arrived at a large vegetable garden and halted in front of a palm-leaf hut. As there was no pasturage in the vicinity, we tied up our camels. At ʻAfnân’s request the farmers brought the animals a lapful of green dates, but our camels, which were not accustomed to this food, did not touch it, while ʻAfnân’s camels consumed the dates with great relish.
