180 
A CRUSADE IN THE EAST. 
of our dissatisfaction than we were ourselves, which made us 
perfectly satisfied ; he was, in all respects, a sagacious, ready- 
witted and obliging dragoman, highly qualified by nature for 
his arduous and responsible profession. 
If he had any fault at all, it was an incorrigible hatred of 
the female sex. He never could refer to the subject, without 
strong expressions of contempt and disdain. He considered 
that ail the misfortunes of life could be traced to woman ; 
that the whole female sex consisted of devils iji the disguise 
of angels. As this singular prejudice concerned himself and 
not us, we paid but little attention to it in the beginning of 
our journey; though as we advanced we noticed some slight 
discrepancy between his practice and his preaching that struck 
us as somewhat remarkable. He had nieces at every stop¬ 
ping-place, and he never passed without calling to see them. 
Perhaps the relationship overcame his scruples—or it might 
be the pride of popularity. 
In making a bargain with a dragoman it is considered 
safest to have a written contract, signed, before the consul, 
specifying every thing to be furnished by the dragoman, the 
number of horses, mules, &c., and the compensation. The 
usual price, including tents, provisions, horses, and every 
thing necessary, is one pound sterling a day for each person; 
but, as the season was late, we agreed with Yusuf for ninety- 
six piastres, or about four dollars each. Having now made 
the tour and acquired some experience in bargain-making, I 
am very sure I could travel through Syria and Palestine for 
about half that; not of course in the luxurious style of fashion¬ 
able tourists, who go merely for pleasure, but in quite good 
enough style for any person who wishes to acquire knowledge 
of the country on the most economical terms. 
I was rejoiced, soon after we were installed at Demetrie’s, 
to hear the well-known voice of Doctor Mendoza. He was 
making arrangements with Emanuel Balthos to take himself 
and the Madam through Syria. He said it would be necess 
to have a fine tent, to have chairs, tables, bedsteads and other 
conveniences, as the Madam was indispose ; that without 
these it would be imposs to voyage. 
