23] Robust religious men, especially those belonging to the school
of Al-Malik, enter into Al-Madinah, after the example of Ali, on foot,
reverently, as the pilgrims approach Meccah.
[FN#24] Barbosa makes three days' journey from Yambu' to Al-Madinah,
D'Herbelot eight, and Ovington six. The usual time is from four to five
days. A fertile source of error to home geographers, computing
distances in Arabia, is their neglecting the difference between the
slow camel travelling and the fast dromedary riding.
The following is a synopsis of our stations:-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Miles.
1. From Yambu', 18th July, to Musahhal, N.E. - - - - - 16
2. From Musahhal, 19th July, to Bir Sa'id, S. and E. - 34 64 miles
3. From Bir Sa'id, 20th July, to Al-Hamra, N.E. - - - -14
4. From Al-Hamra, 21st July, to Bir Abbas, E. - - - - -24
5. From Bir Abbas, 23rd July, to Suwaykah, E. - - - - -22 68 miles
6. From Suwaykah, 24thJuly, to Al-Madinah, N. and E. - 22
Total English miles - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 132
[p.285]CHAPTER XV.
THROUGH THE SUBURB OF AL-MADINAH TO HAMID'S HOUSE.
As we looked Eastward, the sun arose out of the horizon of low hill,
blurred and dotted with small tufted trees, which gained from the
morning mists a giant stature, and the earth was stained with purple
and gold. Before us lay a spacious plain, bounded in front by the
undulating ground of Nijd:
