To the Holy City

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 32

To the Holy City

is a ride of nine to 10 hours from Jaffa, usually done without much difficulty. The experience, however, of your corespondent, together with that of some fellow Americans, is worthy of note. Leaving Jaffa at 11 a.m., our way for a long distance is hedged in by huge cacti, these in time giving way to native fences. This road, which at the best is poor, and that from Damascus to Beyrout are said to be the best in the whole country. On our way the absence of habitations and ."people is noticeable. For miles the only persons seen, are an • occasional couple of soldiers stationed in watch towers placed on the summit of a high hill, principally to protect the people in towns from being surprised by robbers, who are numerous, the dragoman and others in charge of our party even deeming it important to travel fully armed. Sometimes a peasant would be passed, or perhaps a shepherd with his small flock. Now we overtake a party of convicts trudging along, shoeless, over the stony road on their way to prison in Jerusalem, to which they have been sentenced for stealing Jaffa oranges, 25 of which could be bought for one franc. We halt at Kainleh, the principal town between starting point and destination. Here, in a small German inn, we take our lunch, and note amongst other things of interest on its register inscribed by that man :o whom more than any other the potentates of the universe paid homage, the names of General and Mrs U. S. Grant. Olive and sycamore trees are numerous about town, and its historically interesting tower should not be passed unnoticed, however pressed for time the traveller may be. Leaving Eamleh, the scene again becomes barren and dreary. We pass a small Syrian town, whose houses resemble those of the Egyptian fellah, and at 5 in the evening we arrive at Job's Well. Again we lunch, and then make a grand start for the finish. You have heard of " the calm before the storm"." We have enjoyed the former, and now as the shadows deepen I lead you into