merge into an elevation cut by broad valleys and numerous narrow, deep, transverse gullies. Only the lower valleys might be transformed into fertile fields; but on the slopes of the gullies there is an abundance of grass and bushes, which affords copious pasture. There is a fair amount of water, as nearly every šeʻîb contains a spring; so the whole region might be tilled and colonized. Before us rose the mighty dome-shaped peak of al-Batra, projecting somewhat to the east from the ridge of aš-Šera’ itself.
We met five migrating families of the Beni ʻAṭijje, as they call themselves, though the Ḥwêṭât and other tribes camping to the north of Maʻân nearly always refer to them as Maʻʻâze or ʻAṭâwne. Each family had but one camel, upon which was loaded all its property: a tiny tent with a single main pole, torn blankets, a bag of semḥ, a small pouch of sour milk, and the smallest of the children. The other members of the family walked behind the camels, driving a small flock of goats with long, shiny, black hair. No flock contained more than fifteen animals.
At 8.27 we arrived at the spring wells Bijâr al-Batra (Figs. 9, 10). Of these about twenty are filled with stones, but eight have been preserved in good condition. They are nearly four meters deep, and the water in them is always clear and fresh but flows only gradually. Šerîf crept into a well and filled a canvas bucket which Ismaʻîn held attached to a rope. The camels did not want to drink, so we filled one of the bags and at 8.50 began to mount the winding paths to the peak of al-Batra. We were accompanied by a Ḥwêṭi who had joined us at the springs. At 9.15 we deposited our baggage by the ruined Roman watchtower (Fig. 11) and remained there until noon (temperature: 34.5° C). The camels grazed while we drew a sketch map.
VIEW FROM AL-BATRA
