The Washington herald., 1916-01-02
Edited by MARY MARSHALL
Bear Hunting In
Palestine
BY G. ROBINSON LEES.

| Bears, that were once common In the
mountainous districts of the Holy Land.
are now confined TO the loftiest peaks and
recesses of the Lebanon. We find them
mentioned many times In the Bible, and
they are shown as objects OF the chase
on Assyrian monuments. But at the
present day they are seldom found, and
many travellers have made the ascent of
Mt Hermon. 1000 feet in height which
In winter and spring is difficult and dam
gerous, and returned without even hav-
ing seen one
| One was seen by party some years
ago who were unarmed and therefore
unable to walt for his approah and make
Ibis acquaintance. An American resident
in Syria has shot one, and there is the
skin OF another in the village of Shebha
that is often shown to the travellers who
ieave the beaten track and visit this pic
turesque spot on the mountain, half way
up its side.
Shebha is said to be noted for pears
and bears, and on this account is sup
posed to be the home of many hunters.
I once made 1T the first days halting
place on my way to the summit of Her.
mon, as II is also conveniently situated
for the final ascent Arriving at dusk
after long and toilsome ride, with a
friend and native followers, we spent the
night In the guest chamber of hospi-
table sheikh, who assisted us the follow
ing morning In making terms with a
hunter who could also act as guide.
While waiting for our arrangements to
be completed. curious-looking animal
was brought for our inspection, perched
on pole. The people said It was a
stuffed bear, the bear of Shebha. I asked
| II 1t had come from Mount Hermon, and
~ there we're any more left there like It.
They replied by urging me to purchase
while had the chance as might never
see another.
| We began our ascent in the morning,
and after steadily climbing for five hours
we reached the top, where the wind blew
bitterly cold. About one-third of the way
up We rested at an ice-cold spring and
carried with US some water for future
use. Along the summit there is a fairly
level plateau broken by gentle hoIlows.
We mounted our horses and followed the
guide to a, small walled inclosure Used
by the snow carriers, who fetch this
frozen substance for the wealthy natives
who live in the hot plains below the
A mountain. Near to this was a cave, and
not rfar away some scattered stones, the
remains of a temple. We fixed on these
places as the only accommodation that
offered shelter for our animals as well as
ourselves.
There are three peaks on Hermon, and
We visited them all, while our men gath
cred some withered and stunted shrubs
to make a fire, which we sorely needed,
for although II was the 9Th Of September
the snow lay deep and hard on many a
side. The only living things we saw
were some golden eagles that rose in
| wheeling flight far above us. But as the
sun sank in the West, We beheld mag
nificent sight. the shadow of the mighty
Hermon cast over the eastern plain right
into the desert
Though We gazed with admiration on
this unique picture, 1t warned us to pre-
pare for the coming night, and as the
wind seemed to grow colder we looked
to our horses and tried to make them
comfortable before we settled down to
supper and rest We collected more of
the dried shrubs. and, after some hot tea
and canned meat We rolled ourselves in
blankets and lay down. Our sleep was
ftful. as we had always a cold side no
matter which way we turned toward the
fire; and we had to be careful not to roll
into the embers like our guide, who
burned his cloak IN trying to monopolize
the whole warmth.
When the gray dawn appeared I awoke
shivering and alone. The others had
disappeared, but after a little while my
servant All came running toward me
crying, "DubbehI Dubbeh! Bear! Bear!'