Syria from the saddle . DEONS FOUNTAIN GILBOA. [E rain, as I have said, held me atNazareth longer than I had plannedto stay; but rain, even in Syria,must pause sometimes, and at last aclear morning dawned. I left thehotel early, glad to be once more onthe move. The train had alreadystarted on, and we followed over thehills and down into the Plain ofEsdraelon. As we entered the plainwe stopped and looked back. Not acloud was left in the sky, and theair was very clear, bringing distantpoints unnaturally near. A strong, bracing wind keptthe atmosphere from growing oppressive, and all natureseemed
Syria from the saddle . DEONS FOUNTAIN GILBOA. [E rain, as I have said, held me atNazareth longer than I had plannedto stay; but rain, even in Syria,must pause sometimes, and at last aclear morning dawned. I left thehotel early, glad to be once more onthe move. The train had alreadystarted on, and we followed over thehills and down into the Plain ofEsdraelon. As we entered the plainwe stopped and looked back. Not acloud was left in the sky, and theair was very clear, bringing distantpoints unnaturally near. A strong, bracing wind keptthe atmosphere from growing oppressive, and all natureseemed to share in the exhilaration that such a day, com-ing after a long spell of rain, is sure to bring with us rose Mount Hermon, towering over theneighboring hills and covered from base to crown withglittering snow. The lowland rain had crystallized atthat great height. Little clouds, pale pink and golden,hung about the mountain, and the white expanse wassharply defined against a background of deep blue sky. 176. SYRIA FROM THE SADDLE. 177 Hermon had been lost to our sight for some days, andwe hailed his reappearance, in this new and beautifulguise, with delight. We were brought down to things earthly before wehad time to weary of the sight, by coming upon thetrain. The ground was muddy, the mire in many placeslying so deep as to be dangerous, while here and theregreat cracks and fissures showed along the plain, as ifan earthquake had passed by. The Jonah-like canteen-mule had chosen such a time and place to lie down androll. As we rode up, the muleteers had just managedto get him free from the canteen-chest, which was firmlyimbedded in the mud, and were standing about, discuss-ing the situation sadly and helplessly. David got themto work once more; and at last the chest was raisedfrom its miry resting-place. The men looked happier,and were lifting it to the mules back, when, suddenly,the lid came off, and glass, china, tablecloths, and provi-sions fell in a crashing he
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