A NATIVE GROUP AT A FOUNTAIN.
During the halt a hasty visit was paid to the church, and also to the khan, and a glance was taken among the ruins that lay scattered about. Close to their halting-place was a mosque of much later date than the church, and there were groups of women and girls around a fountain which the mosque protects. The Doctor remarked that Beeroth was one of the four cities of the Gibeonites whose people made a covenant with the Israelites through false representations, and became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the conquerors of the land.
On the road again, after saying farewell to Bireh, the travellers had a ride of little more than an hour to Ain Yebrud. They passed many orchards of fig and olive trees, and found the country more productive in appearance, at least, than nearer Jerusalem. The road now descended into a narrow and wild valley, with steep cliffs rising above on either side, and with numerous terraces which were formerly cultivated, but are now of little use.
Suddenly at a bend in the road they came to a spring which flowed from the side of a cliff. The cool appearance of the water brought them to a halt, and they dismounted. Frank asked the name of the place.
"This is Ain el-Haramiyeh," the guide answered.
"Which means?"
"The Robbers' Spring."
"It has borne this name for centuries," said Doctor Bronson, "and very properly too. This valley has long been considered a dangerous place, and we do not wish to remain long at the spring. Hardly a year passes without a robbery in this vicinity, and not infrequently the plundered traveller is killed if he offers any resistance."