ANTIOCH TO ALEPPO 



on the dead run. Four soldiers galloped with 

 the coach, two at each side, armed with old- 

 fashioned rifles. The stage halted, and with 

 great pomp the Director General alighted. 

 He was ushered up on the porch of the post- 

 office, where a feast of unusual proportion was 

 spread for him. Arthur and I were kept back 

 till the briber, with our money, went forth. He 

 began bowing twenty feet before he got to the 

 great man and finally crawled up to him as he 

 made known his mission. He dropped two 

 gold pieces in his hands, and the agent, with 

 much dignity, was open to reason. Finally w^e 

 were brought forward and came like two 

 whipped servants, but we were for doing any- 

 thing for the opportunity to get away. 



So after giving more gold, we were ordered 

 into the low leather-covered carry-all and there 

 lay in a half leaning, half sitting position, 

 afraid to complain for fear we should be put 

 off after all. But the gold had done its work 

 and we were not disturbed. They were now 

 hitching four stallions to the nondescript 

 vehicle — two grays and two bays. They were 

 better looking animals than w^e had seen on the 

 carriages at Beyrout, or in fact at any place 

 along the coast. They were hard and well 



[69] 



