[5] The 12th is missed, and Dr. Richardson notes in his journal
that the date is to be rectified backwards; but he does not
say where the rectification is to begin--ED.

We started rather late, about seven A.M., but made a long day,
continuing till sunset, or twelve hours. Our course was north-north-west
for three or four hours, on the plain towards Serdalous, and then
entered the pass of Abulaghlagh; which, though represented as plain and
smooth as the hand by Hateetah, was sufficiently difficult and rocky for
the boat-laden camels. The beginning of the pass was remarkable for a
number of curiously-formed sandstone rocks, several of them swinging or
resting on a small base like a pivot, and others cleft asunder, as
straightly and clearly as if cut by a knife. Our course along the pass
was west, but when well through it we turned round southwards towards
Ghât.

Immediately on clearing the pass we saw the celebrated Kasar Janoon, or
Palace of the Demons; of and concerning which the people had been
talking all day: we had then the range of hills or mountains to our
left, and some sand-hills on our right. Dr. Overweg at once discovered
we were in a new region, or zone. The mountains on the left are composed
of slate-marl, and not sandstone, as before stated by myself and Dr.
Oudney. Overweg considers them of a very peculiar character and is
delighted with their castle-like and battlemented shapes. But we shall
have much to say of these marl-slate mountains, coloured so beautifully,
and looking nobly to the eye.

Before entering the pass of Abulaghlagh, Hateetah hid some of his wheat
under the rocks to lighten his camels. I joked him, and told him I knew