BSY_FB_27_1904-12-20

December Tuesday 20 1904

Hoar Frost

Ṣalkhad 7:00 A.M. Temp 38 ° Baro. S. 25.20 Clear, calm to #1
W. Breeze. 8:00 A.M. low nimbus clouds from West. Cumulus clouds
above. Wind increasing - 12:00 N. rain, #3 Breeze W.
Mellâh 4:00 P.M. Rain, nimbus C. #4 Breeze Baro. S. 25.11

Left Ṣalkhad 8:03 A.M. going generally E over a
slightly rolling country (delayed 12 mins in a lane
leading from village by a herd of cattle which blocked
the way. This lane was a Roman Road. We proceeded
over mostly plowed fields from which the rocks had been
clearled? & put into piles or stone walls or stone paved
roads all done in Ancient times. It was the same kind
of country traversed from Saleh to Salkhard. Arrived at
'Auwas 9:15, a ruined village, deserted and all the lintels
and cut stones removed by the Druse for building purposes.
Left at 9:40, same kind of country arriving at Medjdel
10:23, a delightful ruined village on the plain
walled, 6 Birkets, streets, public squares, private houses, church
complete, streets paved with side walks, private homes of 4
stories - all deserted. It began to rain & we had lunch inside
of a dwelling house with the roof still in place - a good
shelter. Left at 2:33 going N. in rain over plowed fields
soil very sticky & soft for horses, crossed Wadi Râdjil at
this point running S.? at approx. 3:00 P.M. Arrived at Melâh
3:45. Guide mounted.