HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED. 181 



and many were the wives, daughters, and 

 female friends who offered their cheeks to the 

 weary ones, and many the men who wrung 

 them by the hand. 



One old fellow who seemed to have more 

 face-cloths to lift {i.e. faces to kiss) than any 

 of the rest, took a particular interest in our 

 party, and after he had got a draught of 

 mineral water he disappeared into his house 

 for a few minutes, after which he returned to 

 us, bearing a small melon and a gourd full of 

 a pleasant flavoured liqueur made from a little 

 black berry like the elder berry, which grows 

 in this neighbourhood. 



From this time until we reached Djuaria, 

 Keesermann, for so our friend was called, took 

 entire charo-e of me, and seemed to resfard me 

 as his special property. Indeed, I grew to 

 have quite a filial regard for the little old 

 man of the hills, with his keen eyes, grey 

 beard, and wonderful voice. 



