( 14^ ) 
Valley in which Hill, by the Way, appeared fome 
Quarries of fine Stone, which probably might afford 
Materials to the curious Buildings in the City. Our 
Guide here (according to his accuftcmed Diligence) 
advanced fome few paces before us, and having efpied 
three or four Country Fellows driving Afles towards us, 
he caufed us to make halt, to give them an opportu- 
nity to come nearer to us, refblving to fpeak with them, 
to know whether the coaft was clear, or if any of the 
Mountain Arahs were then at Tadmor^ or not. After a 
little fpace, with our Arms in our Hands, we marched, 
in as good order as the way would permit, down a 
rocky and fteep Precipice, into the Valley ; and our 
Guide making greater fpeed than we could, gallop'd 
after the poor affrighted Country Fellows ; who feeing 
fuch a Company unexpededly defcend the Hill, left their 
Afles, and fled towards the City with all polfible fpeed; 
But they were foon overtaken, and brought back again 
to us I to whom they related the good news, that there 
was no Force at all mTadmor^ and that we might pro- 
ceed with courage, and fte what we would there with 
all lafety : Which News obtained them their liberty to 
go again to their Aflfcs, and we continued in our Way. 
Having tired our felves with roving from Ruine to 
Ruine, and rortiaging among old Stones, from which 
little Knowledge could be obtained ; and more-efpecially 
not thinking it fafe to linger too long in a place, where, 
fhould the Mountain Arahs (who were Enemies to I 
JJJyne Ahajfe^ omYmn^^ have intelligence of us, they j 
might either fall upon or endeavour to intercept us in- | 
our return ; (for which reafon alfo we had all along con- k 
cealed our intended Courfe, under a pretence of pro- ' 
cecding forward to DamafcuSy ) On thurfday, OM. 8. 
about half an hour after four in the Morning-, we de- 
parted from Tadmor^ being very well fatisfied with what * 
we 
