The Djebel Heish,
Which Continues Its Southerly Course To The W. Of The Hadj Route,
Changes Its Name In The Latitude Of Fedhein Into That Of Djebel Belka
[Arabic].
To the east of Fedhein the Djebel Haouran terminates, not far
to the North of Boszra.
At one day’s journey from where the mountain
finishes lies the village of Szalkhat [Arabic]. From Fedhein to the
south-east the plain is uncultivated, and without habitations.
6. The castle of Zerka [Arabic] is at one day’s journey from Fedhein.
The Hadj rests here one day, during which the Hadjis amuse themselves
with hunting the wild boars which are found in great numbers on the
reedy banks of Wady Zerka. The castle is built in a low Wady which forms
in winter-time the bed of a river of considerable size, called Naher
Ezzerka [Arabic], whose waters collect to the south of Djebel Haouran.
In summer time the Wady to the E. of the castle has no water in it, but
to the west, where there are some sources, the river is never completely
dried up. It then enters the Djebel Belka and empties itself into the
Sheriat el Kebir. The Pasha of Damascus has an Aga in the castle, who is
always an Arab of the tribe of Ehteim [Arabic], part of whom live in
tents round the castle and sow the ground. They have plenty of grapes,
and sow Dhourra and wheat.
7. One day’s journey is Kalaat el Belka [Arabic]. The name of Kalaat, or
castle, is given on the Hadj route, and over the greater part of the
desert, to any building walled in, and covered, and having, like a Khan,
a large court-yard in its enclosure.
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