The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-01-29


turnpike. We commenced the as
cent of the Anti-Lebanon soon af-
ter we left Baalbek, and then much
of the way to Damascus-a journey
which occupied two days-was by
steep and rocky paths. 1t was a
matter of surprise that our faithful
Arab horses could bear us along
and over these mountain ways, for
in many places we passed along the
edge of steep declivities with
hun dreds, and even thousands of
feet below lis, and where the path
was none too wide for the passage
of one animal. But these are places
where their sure feet are most to be
trusted. Our midday repast was
borne upon the back of an animal
that was always with us, while the
train of pack mules and donkeys
with the baggage and camp equip
page passed by itself, and lnot stop
during the day. AS we commonly
rested for as much as two hours for
our lunch, we found our tents ready
to receive us when we arrived at
the camp.
Upon our arrival at camp the first
night from Baalbek, one of the party
was MOTTO be found. He had last
been seen a short time before our
arrival riding ahead of the guide, in
violation of the rules. 1t was near
~ dark, and we were in the widest
portion of the Anti-Lebanon. AIez
were Immediately sent ont in all di-
rcctions, and some of the long lam
terms of camp were placed in the
highest positions. After an hour
and a half one of the muleteers
came upon his track and brought
him safely to camp, although he re-
luctantly yielded to the guidance of
the Arab, for he was confident that
he was. being guided in the wrong
direction. When his safety was
announced a shout went ND from
our camp that rang through those
wild bills. Lieutenant Mackenzie.
of the British army, who was the
youngest of the party, had already
become it's fayorite-a distinction
which he well deserved. He was
ever after among the most careful
in obeying the rules which were to
govern us. lie had suffered much
during his wanderings. He had
come upon a little Arab village,
and upon trying to obtain informa-
ton they spit upon him and cover.
ed their faces.
We stopped for our noon repast
the second day at the fountain OF
Figeh, where are the ruins ola tenn
pie, and afterward passed Abila,
near which are some tombs, high up
the rocky mountain side. We ar.
rived at Damascus the same even.
ing, and found our tents along side
the walls of a Morque, where we
could hear the Mohammedan calls
to prayer from its minaret.
We wandered about Damascus
for two days, and visited the place
where Paul W as said to have been
let down by the wall in e basket.
There is wall of Damascus at the
place shown, but no window OIL
place for a window, as some per.
sons have assumed to describe. We
visited the house of Ananias, where
is a Latin chapel and school, and
the house ofJudas, where we found
a small Morque. We walked
through the "street that is call ed
straight" which is covered by q
rude roof, as are most of the streets
of Damascus, in order to protect
them from both sunshine and rain.
We also walked through the Ba-
zaars, where great society of use
less, as well as some useful articles
are offered for sale. The keepers Of
the stalls sit cross-legged, like a line
of tailors, and the places are so
small that most of their wares NAV
be reached without moving from
their position.
Most of the goods offered in
Damascus are kept in these small
places. The streets are not as wide
as most of the alleys in our cities.
and are extremely filthy. The old
Alguine Chief, Abdal Kadar, who
so nobly periled his life in the de-
Tense of his christian neighbors du-
ring the massacre of 1860, is still a
resident of this city, and is much
respected by all but his Mohamme.
dan neighbors.
DAMASCUS To sAFID.
When we had iourneyed a little
more than two hours from Damas
Gus, place where two roads met
was pointed out as the locality
where Paul was smitten with blind.
ness, but il does not seem probable
that the place could be SO definitely
marked. We had passed along the
banks of the river ALBANIA for sever.
al hours before we reached Damas-
Gus, and passed out of it for some