CISTERN UNDER THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM.CISTERN UNDER THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM.
"There is a cistern under the Temple of Jerusalem," continued the Doctor, "that was hewn from the solid rock. Portions of the rock were left standing to form a support for the temple, and they have performed their work so well that no part has ever given way."
As the Doctor paused it was announced that the horses were ready, and in a few minutes the cavalcade was again in motion.
A tower on the right of the road attracted the attention of the youths. The Doctor told them it was the station of a watchman, and that it was his duty to guard the fields and vineyards from depredations by men or beasts, and to preserve order along the road.
"There are eighteen of these towers," said he, "between Jaffa and Jerusalem, about two miles apart, and the men in them are supposed to have control of the road, and to protect travellers from danger. The watch-tower is an institution of the East, and its use dates from a very early period."
"Yes," replied one of the boys; "I have read about watch-towers in the Bible, and we saw in Egypt how watchmen were stationed to guard the fields in ancient times the same as they guard them now."
"You will find them referred to many times in the Bible," was the reply, "and there has been no change in the custom. If you want to refresh your memory on the subject read the fifty-second chapter of Isaiah, and you will find a description that might have been written yesterday instead of many centuries ago."
Over the undulating plain of Sharon our friends continued their journey, passing groves of olive and orange trees, fields of grain, and occasional stretches of barren ground. In places the route was shaded by sycamore and cypress trees, and the fields were protected by hedges of cactus. A well-grown hedge of this plant makes an excellent fence, as it is impervious to man or beast, and it flourishes admirably in the soil of Palestine.