Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-28
once, and remain on that side till the conclusion Of the

once and remain that side till the conclusion of the
fight vm
But before proceeding journey to the Dead Sea
must not forget another remarkable feature that usually
was prominent in our travels While we are winding ou
way towards ST. SABA with nothing but bare and desc
late rocks ON both sides, permit introduce you tc
our friend and fellow-trayeller Tokina.
Attached to our party small donkey which often
excited my wonder by his great spirit and powers of
DURANGO Tokna was his name; and although it could
not be denied that he ASA perfect ass, | may
say-yet he was most sensible little fellow and had o
soul very much above any He was not much
bigger than Newfoundland dog, bat he had amount
of ambition concealed beneath his shaggy little hide that
would have done honor to any horse in Syria. If his
long, his head; he carried good deal
in it as well ms on it,
There not an inch Of the way from Beirut to the
summit of Mount Lebanon, and from the summit Of
Mount Lebanon to Damascus and from Damascus Je-
rusalem, that he did not bear himself bravely under all
circumstances never once tagging, however great his
burden; always trottng along briskly, tumblng into
rivers and bitches, and climbing out again much alive
as ever carrying immense lazy Arabs on his back up
hill and down HILL and running away and then, and
kicking all the mules within his reach Tokina was not
only remarkable ass but transcendentalist There
telling what he about half the time, he main
tanned such aspect of profound wisdom and used such
obscure and uncouth language to explain himself He
also something of politician; that is say he was
very fond of any body that gave him OATS and always
wagged his and smiled pleasantly when he expected
little attentions of that kind. When imposed upon by
unmerciful riding he would bear it all patiently
tripping until good opportunity occurred of making
something by it; and then he would stumble into ditch
if by accident and out rejoicing without saddle
rider often imagined when he prayed occasions
of this kind that he meant to say Bismia you are in
the mud now See how throw dirt you You needn't
think to impose upon because I'm little By the beard
of the Prophet! pretty fellow you are, truly Two
hundred pounds weight nearly riding on little chap
like me! But don't think because you're bigger ass
than that you it over me in this way much
longer. l won't stand it if do may be turned into
twolegged ANIMAL and walk on end all the days of my
fen Whereupon he would kick up his heels and dash
off, laughing to himself in such wise that it was perfectly
human. Then to catch him was job that afforded us
infinite diversions to see him dodge under the mules and
behind and before the horses and upset the Arabs
that foot it such innocent relaxation for
great mind Being ridden upon he seemed regard as
of the necessary evils of society," and bore it always
long as he could the greatest in the world could
not do more. Doubtless he how the big people
around him rode the little people, and how the prnc-
pie extends from the highest the lowest of the living
knd-those with vertical as well as those with horizontal
backs.
have often thought that the biography of Syrian
would be most interesting and instructive. What
strange revelations he could give of character adven
ture, and book-making! What valuable reflections on
the antiquities of Palestine What rich and copous notes
on affairs Of Government Pardon any thing thou mayst
deem amiss in these remarks, Tokina for know and
love thee WE'LL and mean thee no offence. If thou
shouldst feel at all hurt remember that l. your best
friend, who have saved thee many beating, of the
human species myself; and accept the sketch herewith
brought conclusion in which have endeavoredto do
justice to thy merits, and at the time show the
world that thou art grieyously imposed upon!