Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/423

416 While they were eating, my brother reminded me that it was against the law for him to interfere to protect a Turkish subject; but that, as these boys were too young to have offended personally, he decided on writing to his superiors in office, the Consul and Consul-General, to explain the circumstances, and to consult them on the subject. He added, "I will take care of the boys till I receive instructions how to act. In the mean time, we may hope that Saleh Bek will be able to show that he is not implicated in this rebellion."

This plan he at once carried out, and sent special messengers to Jerusalem and Beirût. Soon afterward, as we expected, the Governor, with several soldiers, came to claim the boys as prisoners. My brother informed him of his decision, and the Governor politely withdrew; but a sentinel was placed to watch near the door of the Vice Consulate, ready to take into custody any of the boys who might venture to go out. This watch was, however, abandoned in a few days.

We gave the boys the use of one room, and whenever we went out, they locked themselves in from the inside, and did not venture to open the door till they heard our voices. When they knew that I only was at home, they used to say, "Perhaps the Governor will come, and try to make you give us up—but you will be firm for us, and strong—you will not let him take us away to prison, even if he should ask for us ever so fiercely." They told me that their sister Asmé died soon after her marriage, and they said, "Perhaps we alone of our family remain living."

On Friday, the 22d, about midday, the sound of tum-tums, and loud shouts, attracted me to the window, and I shuddered on seeing a regiment of Turkish infantry marching through Hâifa. They had come from Arrabeh. The town had been taken, and these soldiers had had the privilege of pillaging the place for an hour or more. It was said that they had secured some valuable jeweled pipes, ancient gold coins, necklaces, chains, head-dresses, and