Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-08-20

green Ihing IO he seen, not even tutl Ot
rhiSilps or mullen stalk upon which 10
rest the eve. | could see sand. sand and
nothing buu sand about me. The plains
are covered with sand; there is sand on the
mountains. sand in the valleys and sand
ieverywhrrp. The sun is hot above, but
its rays are heated seveniold by the sand
upon which they strike, and are reflected
with scaldng heat upon the travellers 5
face. Ii we saw a man gliding along the
horizon, we al once suspected him to be
an enemy, and straightway began to rcck-
on up the chances of fight. Even ali.
mails aud birds Of kindly nature seem 10
dread this sand wilderness. The vulturt
and hawk hovered above us by day, the
lackall and hvena how!ed around our tents
by night.
Such was the desert through which we
! passed. 4 curse seems to rest upon ii.
I In less than two hours from the time we
left Jerusalem, we found ourselves on the
borders of this dreary waste. Mustapha
then arranged us in sort of military or
der. He divided his troop into two
bands. one Of which, commanded by HIM
self. led the van, while the other brought
up the rear. Our humble selves were
placed in the centre. How far there was
any real danger, do not know but at
any rate, our guards were always on the
alert. Scouts were kept in advance, whose
forms could be seen on the distant hilltOps,
as they looked about for hostile tribes that
might be prowling near. In this way,
we continued on our march across the
desert. Towards evening, we reached
The borders of broad plain, where clus-
ters of trees and fields of bright green
grass told of fertility. What a delicious
relief it was, after tolling over that furnace
of sand, to meet an oasis of fresh, cool
greensward, studded with trees, whose
leaves played with the evening breeze and
exchanged glanceS with the springs OF
water that gushed forth beneath them.
Nv wearied horse seemed to appreciate
the feelings of his rider, and expressed his
delight by gallOping over the grass and
through the trees. But said gaIop was
not Of long continuance. We soon came
10 the ruins of an ancient building, near
an Arab village, around which were fields
Of unripe grain, and beyond them forest,
resembling park of trees. That village
is the modern town of Jericho, and the
ruined house, if Catholic tradition may
be credited, once belonged to Xaccheus.
Here we pitched our tents, built our watch
fires, ate our evenings meal and slept
quietly, under the watchful care of our
Arab guardians.
Jericho at the present day is little more
than name. could not discover even
the foundations of It's ancient walls. A
few mud cottages alone remain to mark
the site of the city of Palms. Trees are
growing and wild flowers blooming over
It's streets. The curse which Joshua laid
upon the place is fulfilled. No man has
risen up to build its walls, or lay again ITS
foundations. The tess grow so thlckly
around it now, that the brave old general
Of the IsraeEtcs would find ii a difficult
matter TO march his host even once around
it.
Mustapha entertained us before retiring
tbv an Arab dance and feast. We were
told that it was customary for travellers TO
make some present to their escort occa-
Observation-Disclosures II is called-ln ad-
di,ion 10 the stipulated pay. A sheep is
frequently given them wherewlth to make
merry. As we were anxious 10 keep on
good terms with our wild protectors, we
did not forget the custom. We accord
ngly directed Mustapha to procure sheep
for himself and his companions at our en-
pense. He did so and invited, us to be
present at the Staying. We accepted the
invitation, and witnessed a scene that
might, at least, be called unique. In the
frst place, Mustapha assembled all his
company, excepting those on duty as SEN
tineIs, and marShalled them in seml-clr-
Gle near the watch-fre. lie then placed
himself before them and commenced sing
ling sort of unntelIigible, monoionous
Echant, with chorus, which sounded like
va, lala va la. His companions gradual
IIv, one after another, Joined IN the chant
and all kept time by clappng their hands
together. At first theiE voices were low
and bodies motionless, hut as their chief
lain elevated his voice, they raised theirs.
lie then began to swing his body to and
fro. with a measured movement, which
his followers inflated. As his excitement
Increased, his voice grew louder. and his
mo,ions more rapid and extravaganza while
his ewes flashed brighter than the lurid
fame W hich strcamed up aud fckered a.
,nong the trees, and the expression OF hS
countenance became almost uneaTlhIy.-
! Hc sung and Ieapcd befole the lire as only
m Arab could. His tribe initiated him in
nrorr thinn- Thcy cIanpcd as he clap