excellent for pipe line construction; in fact, one might almost say, "Perfect". On this trip the party dug holes about 18 in. deep at various

Fig. 4 Party at Jauf Well

places along the route, whenever stops were made. No rock was found in these holes and the general impression (subject, of course, to confirmation), was that the line could be buried in this area with only a nominal expense for ditching. The irregular green growth, however., indicated the presence of considerable moisture and the probability that some protection against corrosion would be necessary. Little or no actual work has been done on the road across the gravel plains from the Jauf well to Hafur al Batin, but traffic alone has made the trail into a well marked road which can be traversed comfortably at a good rate of speed. There are only occasional bad spots, most of which appear to have resulted from cars or trucks sticking in the mud in time of wet weather.

Hafur al Batin was reached in the afternoon. (Fig. 5) This is a "Qasr" or fort with a good well used for watering sheep and camels, of which large herds were evident at this time. The Qasr is located in the Wadi al Batin, a broad depression well covered with green grass. Like many other structures in the interior of Arabia the Qasr at Hafur is made of adobe brick. It would obviously offer considerable protection against marauding bands of bandits armed with nothing heavier than rifles. The presence of such forts particularly where there are important wells is a reminder that the days are not too far gone when banditry was recognized as a legitimate occupation in Arabia.

The Amir was absent, but the party stopped for coffee with a subordinate. The ceremony by which guests are received appears to be much the same throughout Arabia, and Hafur is typical. When the guests are seated, a fire is lighted to heat water, unless water is already hot, and the sound of a pestle banging away inside of a mortar will soon be heard, indicating