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new horizon, the Lake of Houle to the N. N. E. and 
the deep bed of the Jordan. 
The country is more open upon the other side of the 
height, which we descended by a gentle slope across 
cultivated fields, and arrived at the bridge of Jacob, 
Cantara Yacoub, upon the Wad Jourdan, or river Jor- 
dan, at one in the afternoon. 
This bridge, still in good preservation, notwithstand- 
ing its antiquity, is built of stone, on three pointed 
arches, with an ancient fortress at its western extremity, 
which was then occupied by a detachment of the guards 
belonging to the Pacha of Acre, whose government 
extends to this place. About sixty paces distant from 
the eastern end of the bridge, is another Khan, guarded 
by a detachment of the troops of the Pacha of Da- 
mascus. These two garrisons, though composed en- 
tirely of Turks, are as little friendly to each other, as 
if they belonged to different nations and sovereigns! 
such is the independence of the Pachas, and the 
anarchy which exists in the Ottoman empire. 
The river Jordan, which flows to the south, is in this 
place about 64 feet wide; it does not appear very deep; 
its current is rapid and boisterous, and the wa|er good, 
but warm. Both banks are covered with reeds and 
other aquatic plants, and are enclosed between moun- 
tains. As we Mussulmen have a particular veneration 
for this river, I did not fail to drink of it, and to bathe 
myself in it. Another considerable caravan joined us 
here, with a view to travel in safety during the night. 
While pitching my tent on the left bank of the Jor- 
dan, my servants found another scorpion, of as handsome 
a kind as that of the preceding day. 
The news of the Pacha of Damascus having set out 
with his troops to go to Jerusalem, determined the 
