aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

818 AEOUND THE WORLD.
But how can we longer tarry in
Joppa, when Jerusalem,
once the " city of the great king," is only thirty-five miles
distant, and that over an excellent road, considering the
mountainous nature of these Syrian lands ?
IN JOPPA, BOmTD FOE,
JEEITSALEM.
While yet in Cairo, Egypt, we unwisely engaged an Arab
dragoman, at so much per day, to conduct us through Palestine
; unwisely^ because better guides can be employed in
Jaffa at the same price. Mr. Rolla Floyd, a very candid,
competent American gentleman, and an energetic young
man named Clark, both thoroughly acquainted with the
wholi3 country, will prove excellent guides. They are remnants
of the Jaffa colony, and quite conversant with the
Arabic and the Palestinian dialects.
I am particular to note
these facts, because, in the Egypt of to-day, famous for flies,
fleas, and falsifiers, they are sure to tell travelers that no
guides can be procured in Jaffa. Our Cairo guide — Mahomet
Sehm — was a failure so far as intellectual guidance
was concerned, yet a good and faithful " dragoman " in
other matters. It is cheaper traveling in this than in the
winter season. The dry and rainy seasons remind one of
California.
Selim, having secured his sheik, well-armed, his muleteers,
his horses, donkeys, and tents, we were off at ten
o'clock on a sunny morning, horseback, for Jerusalem. Our
horses were good ones. Passing through the bazaar, the
narrow streets swarming with glittering raggedness, and
the walls grayed with age, we emerged from this
Oriental
city buried in noble groves of orange-trees, out into the
main thorouglifare, which was lined for some distance
with irrigated gardens, lemon-orchards, and orange-groves.
Suburban Jaffa is beautiful. The roadside, for a long way
toward Ramleh, is fenced with cacti, and fringed with gardens.
Residents tell us that these gardens in March and
April are literally enchanting, the air being loaded with