Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-07
VII.
Special Correspondence Of the Nashville Union and
American.

Special Correspondence Of the Nashville Union and
American.
BRYRoUT, Syria, -, 1S70.-From
Damacus to BeyrOut, on the Red Sea, is a
good road owned by the French. On this
road saw the first wheeled vehicle since
entering Asia. How pleasant it was after
80 long a silence to hear the clatter of
wheels again, to see real coach and six
there abroad. There are no roads in P a.
lestine, except short part of the way
from Jaffs, on which a wheel can find
turning room. People who are disturbed
by the noise of great towns ought to live
in Palestine; there the trouble is not
known, none of the Earring sounds are
heard. In going to Baalbek the Beyrout
road is travelled short distance, then the
road turns off for the Anti Lebanon Mts.
The day we left the rain was falling and
continued all day. The road was long
and the day cold, so safe harbor in
which to land at night was desirable.
Often when thing is most wished for
it is farthest from us. 1t was so here.
The tents we pitched on hill as muddy
as hills can get to be. The beds were
well sprinkled, the supper difficult to
be cooked. Altogether, we were in
mess. A scanty supply of grub was f.
nally given us, and off we went to rOost.
Some of the party not being inclined to
liveof a lonely, selfish kind, took good
supply of the Irish chap to bed with
them. They seemed to gel on peacefully,
for in the night l heard much laughing.
Before well-behayed ROSTERS had dared
crow next morning, / heard a fearful
screaming, and, upon looking out, saw
the ground covered with snow, and heard
pitiful signs coming up from a spot where
three or four tents once were. Something
dreadful must be the matter, thought |.
There were others of different sex who
were of the same opinion, for the ladies'
tents had fallen before the wind. The
poor creatures were exposed to the pitt
less storm. There they lay, not quite like
soldiers, taking their rest with the rain
falling fast. That would never do. Ii
did not do. They were gently carried by
kind friends into neighbOring tent, until
matters were restored. To my
lasting chagrin and distress,
who, on all previous occasions, had been
the helpmste of the ladies, who had been
their standby when others were afar off,
was not in time on this, the most urgent
of all times, to lend a helping hand. My
boots were contrary, so told them after
wards as an excuse. They never forgave
me. never heard the last of it. How
the mighty are fallen, Icould but exClaim,
when | unused over the change, from be-
ing considered the most gallant of the
party, to being told only offered help on
slight occasions. | whistled and smiled
and sang, but my friends could see that
was hurt. The dragoman declared he
would not leave that day, and to mend
the matter a little, he would procure a
house. The house, the best in the vii,
lage, was procured. Two rooms were
furnished. Sixteen of us were quartered,
OF squatted, in one room. The ladies be.
ing fewer, had less of jam. Hitherto
had scorned Arabs and their houses, but
there is no telling what day may bring
forth-anOther of my nursery stories,
more of truth than the one re
lated. Now | thought house,
though an Arabs was a paradise, on
small scale at least. This was a large
IOOLn, Will pOSt III lHS CCuhO w MN
the roof. A fire was in the corner, witt
thin roofing to persuade the smoke to b
high-minded. Part of it was persuaded
the rest found refuge in our eyes. The
day was gotten through by playing whist
sleeping and quarreling. Twas in mint
for the latter after the mornings eXperi
ence. One of my friends was so rejoice'
at the idea of getting out of the snow
that he tried to keep one of the nativ
children, but was told that that thin
couldn't be did. l did not sympathiz
with him. The following night was got
ten through with pretty well. Sewers
cattle and a donkey were quartered mex
door to us, but behaved themselves yer
becomingly, for which they had a vote o
thanks. The sun managed next mornin
TO show himself through the mist an
clouds, but the dragoman did not want t
go on; said we could not get through tn
snow. Some of the party wanted t
turn back. l had set my heart o.
BaaIbek and to it / was going. said SC
others Joined and the day was gained
Let it here be chronicled that not one lad
showed the white feather. In this fac
my resolution may be accounted for b
the envious.
One mistake generally makes two.