Chapter XX

CHAPTER XX.

DAMASCUS—HIS THIRD CONSULATE.

I find Richard has had a cordial reception—We go to Palmyra, or Tadmor in the desert—We go without an escort—Tadmor—Camp life—Our travelling day—Night camps—Return home after desert—Native life—The Arabic library at Damascus—The library—The environs of Damascus—How our days were passed—Our reception day—A most interesting and remarkable woman—A romantic history—Richard's love for children—Richard's notes on our wilder travels—The Tulúl el Safá—Our home in the Anti-Lebanon—Our day—With Drake and Palmer in the Lebanon—Religious disturbances—Holo Pasha gives us a panther—The Druzes—Their stronghold—We camp at the Waters of Merom—Richard is stung by a scorpion—Explorations of unknown tracts—I prevent Rashíd Pasha's intentions taking effect—Rashíd's intrigue about the Druzes—The manner in which we are received in villages—Remarks on the journey—Kurdish dogs—Excursions to unknown tracts—Troubles from a self-appointed zealot—Usurers very troublesome—A Jehád threatened—Jews—Usurers try to remove Richard—Letters of indignation and sympathy—Jews—Omar Bey's fine mare—Horse-breeding—The Holy Land.