THE SYRIAN DRAGOMAN. 
181 
My excellent friends were delighted to see me, and it was 
a mutual gratification to find that we would in all probability 
often meet during our tour; in fact that we would perform 
the greater part of it in company. They had stopped several 
days in Smyrna, and were much pleased with the Hotel des 
deux Augustes; the Doctor had ascertained that there was 
an excellent hotel in Damask, and had caused Demetrie to 
write on to the proprietor and engage rooms, without which 
he said, it would be imposs to hazard the voyage. To-morrow 
morning they intended, if poss, to depart. 
The same afternoon, it was an interesting and instructive 
spectacle to see the Doctor and the Madam in the front yard 
of Demetrie’s hotel. Their tent was erected for inspection; it 
was of the most fanciful shape and coloring; there was a 
private chamber in it; and there was no end to the knick- 
knacks for comfort and convenience. The horses were brought 
up; the Doctor examined the saddles and the saddle-girths; 
mounted and got down again, and re-mounted and got down 
again a dozen times, before he was satisfied that the capari¬ 
sons were safe. The Madam screamed, and endeavored to 
faint, when she saw the beautiful little mare upon which she 
was to ride cut a pigeon-wing by order of Emanuel Balthos; 
and it was only by great persuasion that she would consent to 
remain tranquil, in accordance with the advice of the Doctor, 
who said that the Madam was a little indispose; that he 
(the Madam) would be better after he had voyaged a few 
days on horseback. 
On the following day we bade this excellent couple adieu 
and saw them proceed on their winding way toward Baalbek. 
Here I may as well mention that we met them frequently 
during our tour, and sometimes traveled for days together; 
the greatest cordiality and friendship always existed on both 
sides; and it was only owing to the difference in our mode 
of traveling that we did not permanently join the two parties. 
