Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/427

420 with her, and I can not take them from her. Her sorrow is too great for me. Cheat her, and let the boys be left alone, and I will come again for them.'"

On hearing this, I begged to be allowed to speak a word to the Governor. My brother did not object, so I sent a kawass to ask him to come to me for a minute, before starting for ’Akka. He kindly came, and I inquired seriously what he expected would be the fate of the boys. He said, "Because of their youth, and because they are of a high family, I think that they will be gently treated, and held only till they shall be redeemed. I will myself conduct them to the Pasha, instead of sending them with the soldiers, and I will in your name speak in their behalf." I said, "Will you let me have news of them as soon as possible?" He promised to do so, and kept his word. In a few days, a horseman came from 'Akka to greet me, in the name of the Pasha, to assure me that the boys were in good health, were well fed, and well lodged in an apartment of the seraglio; and though they were not allowed to go outside the city, or even into the streets, they walked every day on the ramparts as much as they pleased—they were detained simply as hostages, and were treated almost as guests. His Excellency wished me to know that he had given them each new tarbûshes, new shoes, and changes of under and outer garments, and had sworn by the life of his son that not a hair of their heads should be hurt. I received several messages afterward, all to the same effect. At this time we were busy making preparations for a visit to England. We had made arrangements to spend the Summer months there; but when all was in readiness