The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-08-07
FROM JERICHO TO NEBO.
BY THE REV. H. b. RIDGAwAY D. D.

| BY THE REV. H. b. RIDGAwAY D. D.
! After week spent at Jerusalem in busy
observation our party left for the Jordan
en- route for tour around the Dead Sea.
! A day or two was given to the examination
Of the site of old Jericho, the ford of the
Jordan, where it is claimed the children of
Israel crossed Gilgal, the Mount of Tempt
alton, the caves in which the early Chris
tians took refuge from persecution, and we
then rode up the plain as far as the ferry at
Damiah Here the river is about 140 feet
wide and the current very deep and swift,
as below. The ferry boat was such as may
be seen on similar streams in America-a
scow-shaped boat drawn over by pulling on
rope stretched from shore to shore
Three hours over gentle plain and we
struck the steep ascent which brought us
to Mount Gilead. The mountain sides are
lined with a scrub oak. The wood resem-
bles that of our oak, but the leaf is small
and oblong. This is undoubtedly the coax
of Bashan," as the range of country is the
same. On the way up we had frequent
glimpses of the snowy Hermon. The at
mosphere was unfavorable, but we could
descry the line of white lying like quiet
cloud on the horizon in the northwest
The view from Mount Gilead commands
much of Palestine, both west and east, the
valley of the Jordan, but a projecting peak
to the south hides the Red Sea. The
mount is called Jebel Osha, and on it is
little mosque, the tomb of Hosea, as Hosea
the prophet is affirmed by the Mosems to
have lived in these parts. Near the sum-
nit is one of the most magnificent oaks or
terebinths l have seen in any country
Beneath its ample dense shade we lunched,
meanwhile discussing the old knotty ques-
ton of Jephthah and his vow. Here it
was that Jephthah rallied Israel against the
Ammonites.
The little valley leading down to Els Salt
is continuous vineyard. The stocks of
the vines lie on the ground to shelter the
vines and the fruit from the excessive heat.
valley. Els Salt, the Ramoth Gilead of the
Bible, lies on the sides and in the deep re-
cess of two high mountains. The western
mountain is crowned by Turkish fortress
lately rebuilt and now garrisoned by Turk
ish troops. A piece of the wall of the old
Roman fortress is a capital specimen of
masonry, and in marked contrast with the
recent work.
1t is but recently the Pasha of Damas-
Gus has succeeded in getting garrison into
Els Salt, and he is now feeling his way
down and seeking to accomplish the same
object at Kerak. Tho population of Els
Salt is about 5000, of which some eighty
families are Greek Christians. The En-
glish Church has lately planted a mission
which has done well under the care of
Mr.. Bellamy, of England. He has a par
ish in England and now feels constrained
for various reasons to return home. A
substantial building has been erected at
the expense of the natives, and good
school is maintained. An efficient native
Syrian is soon expected to take the charge,
under whose control it is hoped to extend
the work as far as Kerak. Els Salt has
always been a strong strategic position,
and has in different ages been a point of
great contention. 1t is mentioned first as
city of refuge in the tribe of Cad, Deut.
w., 43. Here the wicked Ahab King of
Israel was slain in the effort to recapture it
from the Syrians. Here, too, Jehu was
anointed to be King of Israel.
Ascending a high mountain on the east,
and gaining broad table land, our way
lay to the south through fields of grass
and grain. On as beautiful plain as eye
ever looked upon, we found the Pasha of
Nablous encamped with several hundred
troops. He was here to gather taxes. We
called upon him to solicit friendly letter
to the Governor of Kerak As DR.. De
Hass, the American Consul at Jerusalem,
was one of our company, making the tour
with US, we were treated with great con-
sideration, and the letter was courteously
furnished. 1t was nothing more than
friendly request, as the lurking Govern
ment do not attempt any authority in
Kerak. The Keraks set at defiance all
our company but myself rode from this
point to Rabbath- Ammon, Philadelphia of
the Roman times, and now Amman. l
was seized with chill and fever, and was
tor rr1a fn int T,,r ;cl,
and lie there till the fever broke. A faith
full servant, Mustapha, stayed by me, and
so socn as l could hold my head up we
moun.~d, and alone rode for four hours
through strange country till we found
our camp in the Wady Heshbon on grassy
slope by copious stream. The party
brought glowing reports of the country
through which they passed, rolling, prairie
like land, and of the city as among the
most interesting ruins they had yet visited
temples, a citadel, a theatre, tombs, col
umns, &C., all in perfect preservation
Quite near where the Turks were encamp-
ed is the noted castle of Hyrcanus. Among
other wonders connected with it are the
stables, one of which, cave, is capable of
holding one hundred horses, the managers
running round all cut in the solid rock.
Joscphus tells us that Hyrcanus, being
driven from Jerusalem, by the adherents of
his elder brother, was forced to make his
homo beyond the Jordan near Heshbon.
Rabbath Ammon will be recollected as the
scene of Uriah's Ubiquitous death. re lie
stopping at Wady Heshbon, Sheik CiTss,. IN,
next in authority under Ali Denab tx
of the Adwan tribe, whose domain nm
Jerash on the north to Ma on on the south,
took us to his encampment near by, and
entertained us in his tent Coffee was
served, and of course a present was ex-
pected in return. Goblan is wicked old
fellow, having killed many men in combat,
and is regarded as very treacherous and
INSCRIPTIONS in his methods.
The rest of the Sabbath in this quiet,
grassy valley of Heshbon was a good pre-
paration fox the arduous rides of the week.
1t was a bright morning, the atmosphere
j IL. i