476 APPEARANCE OF THE CAVALCADE. [1848. 



beyond, which were richly carpeted along their slopes with 

 the purest green verdure, and dotted with clumps of figs and 

 apricots, and groves of olives and pomegranates, amid whose 

 branches many a feathered songster discoursed "most eloquent 

 music," and whose emerald foliage seemed so refreshing to 

 the eye, in contrast with the glassy appearance of the ocean, 

 and the hot sandy beach. 



A short distance beyond Acre, in a south-easterly direction, 

 was the village of Abelin,* the mountain fortress of the 

 Sheikh 'Akil, perched on its eyry-cliff high above the southern 

 slope of the plain. Here the cavalcade was joined by the 

 Arabian Escort. Including the Sherif and 'Akil, with their 

 servants, there were, in all, fifteen Bedawin ; this addition 

 making the total number of the whole party, counting the 

 interpreter and cook hired for the occasion by Lieutenant 

 Lynch, to be thirty-one. 'Akil was dressed in a long flow- 

 ing aba, or cloak, of a green color, a red tarbush, and white 

 trowsers of ample dimensions ; while the Sherif wore a rich 

 cloak embroidered with silver, and underneath a spencer and 

 trowsers of the finest olive-colored cloth. Their followers 

 and attendants were enveloped in dark purple abas, and their 

 swart faces half hidden beneath their yellow koofee/jahs, or 

 kc/fiehs, which were bound round with cords of camel's hair, 

 dyed black. All were armed with spears eighteen feet long, 

 some of which were tufted with beautiful ostrich feathers. 



Whim in motion, the united party presented an imposing 

 and picturesque appearance. The Americans on their fine- 

 spirited horses — the long line of camels — the carrhiges and 

 boats, each of which bore its tiny flag of mingled stripes and 

 stars — the Arabs on their caracoling steeds, leading the head 

 of the column, or darting over the distant hills, in front, in 



* Lieutenant Lynch hazards the conjecture. (Narrative, p 110. note ) that 

 Abelin may he the Abilene, or Abila, mentioned by St. Luke (chap iii. 1st verse.) 

 As the former had previously exhibited (p. 13) hi* limited knowledge of history, 

 in making Old Noll the successor of the Merry Monarch, -Charles II, il is no 

 strange that he should be equally mistaken in regard to Biblical topography. 

 The true Abila, to which the apostle refers, was located to the north-west of 

 Damascus. 



