This desert is the abode of many evil spirits which amuse travellers to their destruction with most extraordinary illusions. If during the daytime any persons remain behind on the road either when overtaken by sleep or detained by their natural occasions, they unexpectedly hear themselves called to by their names. Supposing the call to proceed from their companions, they are led away by it from the direct road and, not knowing in what direction to advance, are left to perish.
-Travels, Marco Polo
We khawajas planned our natural occasions with precision. We weren’t sufficiently fleet of foot to run back from the moving herd for decent cover, then to run forward on the double as did the drovers. So we waited until camp and then went out beyond our couched camels. The fire’s glow guided us at night, the angle of the sun at midday. From our chosen spot we never glanced outwards and other than the call of nature we heard no voices. No Jinns, no Genies in the Gents.