382 
A CRUSADE IN THE EAST. 
any idea of the dangers that threatened ns. I have no hesi¬ 
tation in confessing that it was not a piece of intelligence cal¬ 
culated to make me sleep soundly. Nothing hut the implicit 
confidence I had in the courage of Yusef, could have induced 
me to risk my life in such a place a single hour longer; al¬ 
though it was now dark night. As soon, therefore, as he had 
interpreted for us the startling information which he had re¬ 
ceived from the Sheik, I came to the conclusion that our only 
hope of safety lay in Yusef. Calling him up close to where 
we were seated, I stated to him in substance that being un¬ 
armed, and in no way prepared to resist an attack from the 
Bedouins, I was willing, as doubtless also my friend the 
Southerner was, to yield to him the post of honor ; which was 
directly across the entrance into our quarters. 
“ If it should unfortunately happen,” said I, “ that these 
Bedouins should make a descent upon us to-night, they will 
unquestionably come in through the first hole or doorway that 
they find open. Now as there is no door here to put in this 
gap, and no means by which we can secure ourselves for de¬ 
fense ^ the only possible chance of escape we have depends 
upon you. Arm yourself well, Yusef; load and prime your 
guns and pistols carefully ; see that your sword and knives 
are properly disposed for action : spread your mattress di¬ 
rectly across the gap in front of us, and keep watch as long 
as you can. Should you fall asleep, which is not likely under 
the circumstances, the Bedouins will no doubt wake you up, 
as soon as they step on you. While you are grappling with 
them, my friend and myself can tear away the bush-work be¬ 
hind us, and make our escape. Should you survive the con¬ 
flict, you will overtake us in the morning on the road to Jeru¬ 
salem ; but should you fall, we will take care to mention all 
the facts to your family in Beirut; and hand them over any 
funds that may be due to you.” 
I can not say that Yusef took this proposition with the avid¬ 
ity which was to be expected from one who had been thirsting 
so long for the blood of a Bedouin. He looked confused and 
astonished at first; then turned very pale and trembled all over; 
and when I spoke of conveying the melancholy intelligence 
