THE SYRIAN DRAGOMAN. 
177 
the least opposition on our part, at almost any sacrifice, such 
was the mysterious nature of his power. What he was, or 
where he lived, or what he intended doing with us, it was 
impossible to say; all he did, so far, was to push aside the 
babbling crowd of guides, and utter contemptuous exclama¬ 
tions when they provoked him, such as, “ Dirty blackguards ! 
Poor devils ! Never mind them, gentlemen ; they don’t know 
any better ! Miserable dogs ! Come on, gentlemen ; come 
on ; this is the way !” 
On our arrival at Demetrie’s, our friend and protector took 
us to the best room in the establishment, where he arranged 
us comfortably ; told us we might rely upon Demetrie for 
good feeding; and then, drawing forth from his sash a small 
black book, addressed us substantially as follows : 
“ Gentlemen, I am Yusef Simon Badra, the dragoman for 
Syria. This is my book of recommendations. I have taken 
a thousand American gentlemen through Syria. Yes, sir; the 
Americans like me ; I like the Americans ! I hate English¬ 
men ; I won’t take an Englishman; they don’t suit me; 
can’t get along together ; I know too much for ’em. But the 
Americans suit me ; always ready ; up to every thing—fun, 
fight, or frolic. There are other dragomans here, gentlemen. 
Emanuel Balthos is my friend ,; I won’t interfere, if you wish 
to take him. I don’t say he’s afraid of robbers ; I don’t say 
he hires guards in all the bad places on that account. I speak 
only of myself. The robbers know me. The name of Yusef 
Badra is guard enough in any part of Syria. Courage is a 
great thing in this country; courage will carry a man through 
where a thousand guards daren’t show their faces. The last 
time I was out I killed six Bedouins. I sometimes kill such 
fellows for fun. They know me; they know it’s a habit I have, 
and they always keep clear when they can. But you can 
choose for yourselves, gentlemen ; there’s my book ; look over 
it. Of course you’ll smoke some chiboucks. Ho ! there— 
Hassin—chiboucks !” 
The chiboucks were brought; and while we smoked, and 
looked over Yusef’s book of recommendations, that renowned 
personage took our spare clothes, created a tremendous sensa- 
h* 
