The Arabian Desert The first details of Mr. Bertram Thomas's
daring journey across the Rub al Khali; the hitherto untraversed desert in South-eastern Arabia, have been published this week in The Times. They show that Mr. Thomas faced the gravest risks on the long march across the waste—not so much from fatigue and lack of water as from the savage tribesmen who haunt the outskirts and have no mercy even for Moslems. He could not have made the attempt if he had not, as Prime Minister of the Sultan of Oman, gained the favour of a leading desert chief, who escorted him with a strong guard. 'He was able, moreover, to get away from the coast before the news of his presence travelled .far. Yet even with these advantages his achievement was mem- orable. He has thrown new light on one of the least known parts of the world.
Previous page
