Volume 2

180 Life of Jesus Christ
this side of a little river that forms the boundary of
Samaria, He and His disciples stopped for the night
among some shepherds from whom they received little or
nothing. The river water was not fit for drinking. It was a
narrow stream and here, not far from its source at the foot
of Garizim, made a rapid turn toward the west.
12. JESUS AT JACOB'S WELL NEAR SICHAR.
DINA, THE SAMARITAN
On the following day Jesus crossed the little river and,
leaving Mount Garizim to the right, approached Sichar.
Andrew, James the Greater, and Saturnin accompanied
Him, the others having scattered in different directions.
Jesus went to the Well of Jacob, on a little hill in the inheritance
of Joseph to the north of Mount Garizim and
south of Mount Ebal. Sichar lay about a quarter of an
hour to the west in a valley which ran along the west side
of the city for about an hour. About two good hours
northward from Sichar stood the city of Samaria upon a
mountain.
Several deeply rutted roads ran from different points
around the little hill and up to the octangular buildings
that enclosed Jacob's Well, which was surrounded by
trees and grassy seats. The springhouse was encircled by
an open arched gallery under which about twenty people
could find standing roonl. Directly opposite the road that
led from Sichar and under the arched roof was the door,
usually kept shut, that opened into the springhouse
proper. There was an aperture in the cover of the latter,
which could be closed at pleasure. The interior of the little
springhouse was quite roomy. The well was deep and
surrounded by a stone rim high enough to afford a seat.
Between it and the walls, one could walk around freely.
The well had a wooden cover, which when opened disclosed
a large cylinder just opposite the entrance and