Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/413

Rh this because considerations of this nature are more likely than any other to induce the foreign representatives at the Porte to inquire into the state of these so-called quarantine establishments in the interior. If the measure is a mere fiscal one, and the principle is just, let the money be levied by all means; but if the toll is all that is sought after, let the arbitrary detention be removed. I have since heard that the quarantine at Aintâb and Birejik has been shortened from twelve to five days.

May 31st.—We crossed the river at 4, and diverged a little from our road to visit "Port William" on the opposite bank. The rooms still contained several relics of the expedition, such as cart-wheels, blocks of wood, coal, &c., which I wonder the natives do not carry away, as there is no person charged to take care of the property. In five hours we passed the Kesreen bridges, and shortly after stopped near a copious spring to rest during the heat of the day which was now beginning to be excessive. Three rough-looking fellaheen were seated by the well's mouth, one of whom took the liberty of occupying the carpet which our Greek servant had thrown upon the grass for Mrs. Badger's accommodation. I ordered the carpet to be removed, and to our surprise the same fellow quietly squatted himself upon it a second time. He paid so little attention to our expostulations, that our Mosul servant Rahhomi approached him and gave him a severe castigation. This effectually cured his predilection for the carpet, but as he skulked away with his companions he threatened that we should not pass the Sajoor river in safety. We again started on our journey at 4 and at 7 reached the Sajoor, which was then so swollen, and the night so dark, that our muleteers refused to cross: so pitching our tent in the valley we retired to rest quite forgetful of the friends we had met in the morning. We had not retired long when Giorgio woke me, and pointed to nine figures on the hills a short distance from us, who were evidently watching our movements. We accordingly prepared for the attack, made a breast-work of our baggage, charged our muskets, and waited patiently for the onset. An hour passed and no movement was made on the part of our adversaries. Hardly wishing to spend a wakeful night after a long day's journey, I proposed that we should advance. Giorgio and Rahhomi were each armed with a pistol,