November 27th.—In a ruined arched building I copied the following:
[Greek].
and over a door as follows:
[Greek].
This village has a large Birket, and contains a ruined tower, with vaulted buildings adjoining.
We proceeded one hour to Melihat el Hariri, so named from
KHABEB.
[p.109]its Sheikh being generally of the family of Hariri; the proper name of the village is Melihat el Atash. I there copied the following, over a door:
[Greek].
From thence, in one hour and a quarter, I reached Ezra, and alighted at the house of the priest. I again endeavoured to visit Draa, but no body would undertake to act as my guide except a peasant, in whose company I did not think that I should be sufficiently secure; for it had been a constant rule with me, during this tour, not to expose myself to any hazard, well knowing that this was not the place, where duty and honour obliged me to do so; on the contrary, I felt that I should not be justified in risking my life, in this quarter, destined as I am to other, and it is hoped, more important pursuits.