xxiv	THE EMPTY QUARTER
and I sought to soothe my nerves with a visit to 'Uqair on
the sea-coast. Thus on January 4th, after a strenuous
journey by car across the heavy dunes of the coastal sand-
belt, I had the satisfaction of completing my second crossing
of Arabia. And on my return to Hufuf next day I found
myself on the very threshold of the Promised Land !