The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-06-26
DESCRIBES THE HOLY LAND.
Dr.. Cowgirl Writes of More Of Ills Ia
teresting Experiences Abroad.
Correspondent Minneapolis Journal.

NaZareLn, SYRIA, May Jth-MOn-
day, April 10Th, we went by carriage
to Jericho, the Dead sea and Jor-
dan. remaining at Jericho allnight
and returning next day. Thru the
most mountainous and barren part
Of the country we have seen, the old
road which has been a thorofare for
ages and which winds and descends
rapidly to Jericho, in the valley Of
the Jordan, at Jerusalem is about
$500 feet above sea level and the
Dead sea 1900 feet. below, it is
evident that our eighteen-miIe ride
took us down 1890. Jericho is said
to be nearer the center of the earth
than any other city in the Dead sea,
the lowest body of water.
In one respect the road was dis
appointing. had expected to go
thru narrow gorges, by rocks and
over which would be good hiding
places for robbers; for the parable
of the good Samaritan had given the
road bad reputation. The road,
however. affords few hiding places
for robbers. 1t runs thru a desolate
region, whose steep, bare, and SEEM
ingly interminable hills furnish just
enough vegetation for the goats.
sheep and camels, which may be
seen here and there in care of their
keepers, or in the neighborhood of
a Bedouin camp. But from the time
when Saul hunted David among the
hills until now, the Judean wilder
ness has been resort for political
refugees and criminals, especially in
troubled times.
The road is now a comparatively
safe one, tho we conformed to the
custom of paying for a guard. This
guard was mounted Bedouin whose
uniform and outfit often reminded
me Of Mark Twain's description Of
his kind. We did not see much of
him until we got to Jericho. Our
theory was that he was taking short
cuts and visiting his Bedouin friends,
saying to them: Gentlemen, leave
these pilgrims alone. I'm robbing
them myself, today
Going to Jericho and returning we
must have seen thousands of Mo-.
hammedian and Christian pilgrims.
Festivities connected with Mahom-
cts birthday, furnished occasion for.
Mohammedians to visit Jerusalem,
and the services of Passion week
turned the faces of thousands of
Christians toward the holy city, We
could mott have hoped for bet
ter illustration of pilgrimages to.
Jerusalem for the Passover in the
days of our Lord. Many open spaces
outside the city wall were occupied
by the camps Of the pilgrims. Droves
of lambs were brought into the city
to supply the demand for food. and
we could see men bartering for them
in the market place near the Da-
gate, and carrying their
purchased lambs away on their
shoulders. Pilgrims, single or in
companies, were going or coming,
sometimes a small family on a cam
els back. These people are experts
in packing things on donkeys and
camels. Some groups would be very
picturesque with the gray colors of
which the Bedouin especially seems
fond. We recognized many Russians
among the pilgrims, usually shod
with very heavy stones, carrying a
pack of some kind, and not unfre-
quently teapot. The Russians, as
a rate. looked tired, dusty, ignorant,
grim and resolute, as they trudged
along, using a strong, heavy stick
for a staff.
On the way down to Jericho, we
stopped for little rest at the inn
of the Good Samaritan" dirty,
ill smelling caravansary. and, re-
turning, mixed with very motley,
noisy crowd around what is called
the Apostles Fountain near
Bethany, in order to get drink.
Near Jericho, we saw at the bottom
of deep gorge spot made lovely
by the garden and the buildings of