DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11448#0355
3HAP. V.J
DEPARTURE.
47
wherein Obadiah sheltered and fed the faithful about the same
time.
The day before my departure, I went out upon the mountain
in search of game : I only got a shot at one hyaena, which 1
wounded, but he escaped from me among cliffs where my horse
could not follow. I then rode into Caiffa, to order horses for my
journey, and found that every beast of burden had Deen pressed
by the Turks, for the transport of some regiments that were
marching to Beyrout. The Sultan's firman would have com-
pelled the governor to find horses for me, but I was always indis-
posed to use its authority for such a purpose ; as the requisition
would have been made of some poor farmer, whom no money
could probably repay, or he would have hired his horses freely.
I therefore engaged a vessel to take me to Jaffa, a distance of
about sixty miles, and the captain said he could take my own
horse on board of her without difficulty. As it was an open boat,
and did not draw above three feet of water, I was puzzled to know
how this was to be accomplished ; but as it frequently was done,
and must be done, I left the arrangements to Syrian ingenuity.
The next morning, at daylight, I was awakened by Jean Bat-
tista coming to take leave of me. He was about to ride to Bey-
rout, a distance of one hundred miles, which he calculated on
accomplishing in three days ; and yet his years were seventy.
Soon afterwards two donkeys, baggaged to the ears, were to be
seen picking their steps daintily down the steep path, with a very
unwilling pedestrian in the shape of my servant assisting their
proprietor to prevent the tottering little animals from rolling down
the precipice. I presented Fra' Clementi with a somewhat larger
gratuity than usual at departure, " not as repayment for the hos-
pitality I had enjoyed, but as a grateful tribute to the convent and
its charities." These establishments are almost the only hotels in
Palestine, and their inmates always receive payment from those
who are able to afford it. While those who differ from their
faith cheerfully pay these very moderate demands, the being
allowed to do so prevents one feeling otherwise towards them,
than to any other house of entertainment, where fire, food, and
ehelter are afforded for a price ; at Mount Carmel, however, the
Hospitality was so genuine, and the attention of the monks so kind
DEPARTURE.
47
wherein Obadiah sheltered and fed the faithful about the same
time.
The day before my departure, I went out upon the mountain
in search of game : I only got a shot at one hyaena, which 1
wounded, but he escaped from me among cliffs where my horse
could not follow. I then rode into Caiffa, to order horses for my
journey, and found that every beast of burden had Deen pressed
by the Turks, for the transport of some regiments that were
marching to Beyrout. The Sultan's firman would have com-
pelled the governor to find horses for me, but I was always indis-
posed to use its authority for such a purpose ; as the requisition
would have been made of some poor farmer, whom no money
could probably repay, or he would have hired his horses freely.
I therefore engaged a vessel to take me to Jaffa, a distance of
about sixty miles, and the captain said he could take my own
horse on board of her without difficulty. As it was an open boat,
and did not draw above three feet of water, I was puzzled to know
how this was to be accomplished ; but as it frequently was done,
and must be done, I left the arrangements to Syrian ingenuity.
The next morning, at daylight, I was awakened by Jean Bat-
tista coming to take leave of me. He was about to ride to Bey-
rout, a distance of one hundred miles, which he calculated on
accomplishing in three days ; and yet his years were seventy.
Soon afterwards two donkeys, baggaged to the ears, were to be
seen picking their steps daintily down the steep path, with a very
unwilling pedestrian in the shape of my servant assisting their
proprietor to prevent the tottering little animals from rolling down
the precipice. I presented Fra' Clementi with a somewhat larger
gratuity than usual at departure, " not as repayment for the hos-
pitality I had enjoyed, but as a grateful tribute to the convent and
its charities." These establishments are almost the only hotels in
Palestine, and their inmates always receive payment from those
who are able to afford it. While those who differ from their
faith cheerfully pay these very moderate demands, the being
allowed to do so prevents one feeling otherwise towards them,
than to any other house of entertainment, where fire, food, and
ehelter are afforded for a price ; at Mount Carmel, however, the
Hospitality was so genuine, and the attention of the monks so kind