Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

l88 TRAVELS IN ASIATIC TURKEY,
lency, guards, and attendants. The British military mission succeeded;
and the rear was brought up by the tartavan of the Tef-
terdar, and five led horses, with his Excellency, guards, and at-
tendants. The military treasures are invariably carried with the
Tefterdar.
The heavy rains which fell on our marching off the ground
incommoded us not a little, and occasioned many disasters to the
baggage and tents. After having proceeded about twelve miles,
in the performance of which the rains continued with little inter-
ruption, we reached, at five in the afternoon, a fine level country,
which had been rendered swampy by the long continuance of wet
weather; and encamped near a river, having over it a remarkably
wide, bridge. To the south of us, on a hill distant about three
miles, was situated a village which the Arabs call Esdad, proba-
bly what was called Eshtaol in the scriptural writings. During
the whole of this dav's march we skirted the sandy hillocks near
the sea shore.
We were informed that the Vizier would halt at our new ground
of encampment until the 14th, to give time to the camels and other
animals, worn out with fatigue, to recover themselves. In the
event this proved to be absolutely necessary, as a part of the tents,
and baggage had been either dropped or left on the road, and did
not reach the ground until that day.
In the mean time both of-
ficers and men suffered considerably from the want of their tents.
The difficulties by which the march was attended will be conceived
when 1 state, that in the performance of it no less than two hun-
dred and ten camels perished.
On the I 3th v *, had s-uffic ient leisure to look about us, and per-
ceived that several small Arab villages were situated on the neigh-
bouring eminences. They were inhabited by the class of Fellahs,
or Arab husbandmen, whom I have already described, and who
were for the
greater part MaJtomedans. They brought to the
camp fresh btuter of an excellent quality, and a kind of cheese
which resembled our cream cheese in England, together with eggs,
milk, vegetables, and yourt, which they call Labban. The Bedouin
Arabs tendered us also for sale kymack of a good quality.
An Arab sheick arrived on the above day from Sala/iie/i, with
a quantity of fine dates, and other presents for the Vizier.
Ihe camels having been laden on the 14th at day-break, and
every other preparation made for our departure, we quitted the
ground at eight o'clock. The morning was uncommonly plea-