I know not whether
the engagement which my zealous dragoman extorted from the Governor
was ever complied with. I shudder to think of the fate which must
have befallen poor Mariam if she fell into the hands of the
Christians.
CHAPTER XXVI--THE PROPHET DAMOOR
For some hours I passed along the shores of the fair lake of
Galilee; then turning a little to the westward, I struck into a
mountainous tract, and as I advanced thenceforward, the lie of the
country kept growing more and more bold. At length I drew near to
the city of Safed. It sits as proud as a fortress upon the summit
of a craggy height; yet because of its minarets and stately trees,
the place looks happy and beautiful. It is one of the holy cities
of the Talmud, and according to this authority, the Messiah will
reign there for forty years before He takes possession of Sion.
The sanctity and historical importance thus attributed to the city
by anticipation render it a favourite place of retirement for
Israelites, of whom it contains, they say, about four thousand, a
number nearly balancing that of the Mahometan inhabitants. I knew
by my experience of Tabarieh that a "holy city" was sure to have a
population of vermin somewhat proportionate to the number of its
Israelites, and I therefore caused my tent to be pitched upon a
green spot of ground at a respectful distance from the walls of the
town.
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