The Mineral argus., 1885-06-11
Bathing and BluHing.


Corr New Haven Courier and Journal.
Bathing in the muddy Jordan il
merely nominal enjoyment, and never
:lcansed anybody yet that l know OF
Except Capt. Naaman. 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 Galilce by moonlight
am prepared to vote a success. The
convent where we stopped at Tiberias
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 pebDly instead Of sandy. Ii
was evidently rare treat for the Re-
bekahs to witness our abolutions,
rs they increased rapidly in num-
bcrs 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 fill their
lars. They would come close to us. re-
mark "Marhabarw (the universal
Arabic salutation, signifying "welcome"o
and then litter rs We answered back
coirteously "Marlabar teen" c'Wcl-
come to you, also.") As l have init
mated, we only held the boards there
for two nights, but 1 am confident that
our audiences would have comprehend
ed all the people in the region about if
VIC had remained week. The second
night an incident occurred which serves
admirably to illustrate Arab mot
Bedouin) character. A man threw a
stone ut us from the beach after our
audience of maidens had reluctant
" retired. Don't mind it," said
Mr.. Floyd. ''hc's trying to pick
up n fuss with us after character
isiic fashion Let him go tho end Of his
rope" Pretty soon another stone fol
lowed, and then another and another,
the last in rather dangerous proximit,,
to MS. At this Mr.. Floyd said the time
was ripe, and, going mp ont of the water
stood on the beach facing the missile
thrower and the crowd Of allies which
lal By this time gathered about thu
latter. Advancing brusquely, he ther
demanded i'm Arabic: "lmpudent brute
who arc you. I'll like to know" "Ile,
great sheik," chornscd the crowd
and YOU don't want To touch him. nj
we'll make you sorrv." Every we'll
said MIR. Floyd, I'm ready to figh
the whole crowd of you, though make,
and unarmed. Many a time I've ami
Inflated dozen men mt once, all strong
er than any of you, AMI I'm just itching
to make mincemcat out of yo'
babies. Look" and with stick h
rapidly drew circle around the spo
where he stood. 1.-The first man wh'
crosses that line I'll grind to pow
der" A moments silence followed an,
then the leader skunk oil, followed ID
his brave cohorts. One or two remaine'
behind to try and patel, mp Il truce H.
pretending that the 'g-r-c-a-t shiek
was only mad man, but MIR. Floyd wa
too familiar with Arab tricks to swal
low that. and told them he'd rattle
they'd throw stones than to try to max
him out foo! 10y passing off such film
ny explanation upon him. of course.
was all done by means of bluff. and VI
had hearty laugh aftcrward to thinl
how ridiculously absurd it was for ON
naked man to face II semi armed GROVE
in this way. MIR. Floyd's last word
we're: Great heavens. Why, your sui
tan would not dare to treat me in thi
way!"