cH. XVI.] Plots and Counterplots. 15 



the Anazeh tents Ali either could not or would not 

 describe, but we thought we should run no risk in 

 trusting ourselves to his guidance, and we were 

 determined at all hazards to see the Anazeh and get 

 away from Deyr. 



As it had been settled, so it was done. The next 

 morning we informed Huseyn that we were tired of 

 waiting for Mr. S. and must start without him. 

 It was getting late in the season and hot weather 

 might be expected to set in ; we had affairs at home, 

 which would not wait, and we must make the best 

 of our way westwards. He suggested that Aleppo 

 would be our nearest road, but this we would not 

 hear of. The Anazeh, as he himself had told us, 

 were far away to the south, fighting the Eoala, and 

 there could be no danger in going to Damascus by 

 way of Tudmur, and perhaps the Consul might yet 

 join us there. If we did meet Jedaan on our way, 

 why, so much the better. AVe had always wished 

 to see him ; but, in any case, we must be off. We 

 suggested that it would be a great pleasure to us if 

 Zakki his son were to join our party. He did not 

 affect to be pleased at this idea, said he had no 

 soldiers to send with us, and that the Tudmur road 

 was c[uite unsafe. He could not possibly allow his 

 son to go that way ; and he advised us most strongly 

 not to think of it. But we insisted so pertinaciously 

 that he said he would see what could be done. 



There were some Tudmuris at Deyr, who might 

 be wDling to go with us, and he would send for 



