The National tribune., 1884-09-11
BATHING IN GALILEE.
The Experience Of q Party Of Yankees on th
Shores OF the Historic sea.

Shores OF the hlst0rlc sea-
Jerusalem Litter fa Eetc Haven Journal and
Courier.
Bathing in the muddy Jordan is merely
nominal enjoyment, and never cleansed any
body yet that know of except Captain Naa-
man. Bathing in the Dead Sea is dangerous to
the eyes and mouth; If you have any cuts or
sores on yOur body, exceedingly unpleasant.
But bathing in Galilee by moonlight l am
prepared 20 vote success. The convent where
we stopped az Tberias, abuts upon the lake
near one of the beaches most frequented by
modern Rebekahs. On both of the nights
which we passed on the lake shore we took
occasion to prove this. Only one thing marred
the perfect enjoyment and that was the nature
Of the beach. which was pebbly instead of
sandy. 1t was evidently a rare treat for the
Rebekahs to witness our ablutions, as they
increased rapidly in numbers when it became
noised about town that real white men" were
in the water, and they tarried obviously longer
than was necessary in order to fll their jars.
They would come close to Us, remark Marha-
bari" lthe universal Arabic salutation, signi-
flying welcome - and then litter as we an
swered back courteously, Marhabar teen
e Welcome to you also.") As | have in
timated, we only held the boards there for two
nights but ] am confident that our audiences
would have comprehended all the people in
the region round about if we had remained q
week. The second night an incident occurred
which serves admirably TO illustrate Arab
lnot BedoGin) character. A man threw stone
at Us from the beach after our audience of
maideus reluctantly retired. "Don't mind il"
said Mr.. Floyd; he's trying to pick fuss with
Us after characteristic fashion. Let him go
the end of his ropeD Pretty soon another
stone followed, then another, and another, the
last in rather dangerous proximity to US. At
this Mr.. Floyd said the time was ripe, and
going up out Of the water, stood on the beach
facing the nissile-thrower and the crowd of
allies which had by this time gathered around
the latter. Advancing brusquely he then de-
manded in Arabic, Impudent brute. who are
you, I'd like 20 knowi" Hes a great
sheik,D chorused the crowd, and you don't
want 10 touch him, or we'll make you sorry
Very well,7 said Mr. Floyd, "Tm ready to
fight the whole crowd of you, though naked
and unarmed. Many time I've annihilated
dozen men at once all stronger than any Of
you, and Pm just itching 10 make mincemeat
out of you babies Look |" and with a stick
be rapidly drew Q circle around the spot where
be stood. " The first man who crosses that
line III grind 10 powder!" 4 moments silence
followed and then the leader skunk of, followed
by his brave cohorts. ora or two remained
behind TO try and patch up trace by pretend
ing that the g-r-e-a-t sheik was only mad
man. But Mr. Floyd was too familiar with
Arab tricks to swallow that, and told them he'd
rather they'd throw stones than make him out
a fool by passing of such firnsy explanation
upon him. OF course, it was all done by means
Of blufi, and we had q hearty laugh afterward
to think how ridiculously absurd it was for
one naked man 70 face a semi-armed crowd in
this way. Mr.. Floyd last words were, "Great
heavens, Why, your Sultan would not dare TO
treat ne in TINS way"