Late in the afternoon they came to Kedesh, the ancient Kedesh-Naphtali, where they were to pass the night. Beyond the historic interest of the place, and the rains that were scattered for a considerable extent over the ground, Kedesh offered no special attractions, as the modern village is neither large nor clean. The ruins show that there were some large buildings here, and by consulting their Bibles and other books Frank and Fred learned that Kedesh was the seat of a prince of Canaan, and afterward belonged to the tribe of Naphtali. Barak, the famous general of Deborah, was born here, and for several centuries his tomb was pointed out, as was also that of Deborah, the prophetess. The boys had seen so many ruins that a brief inspection satisfied them, and they went to bed soon after dark.
An early start was made from Kedesh, as there was a point of interest five hours from that place, and the guide had suggested that they would halt there for their mid-day meal. The country was rough, and the road wound among the hills, with frequent ascents and descents; but many of the slopes were wooded, and the path was often enclosed by vines and other plants, that gave evidence of a fertile soil. In the early spring, when the flowers are opening, the air is filled with rich odors, and the traveller forgets the rugged hills of Judea, and feasts his eyes on the beauty of the scenes that surround him.
The party halted a few moments at Hunin, a small village near a fortress which is said to have no history. Nobody can tell when or by whom it was built; at any rate, there is no historical record of it, and the only opinions as to its antiquity are derived from the building itself. The foundations are very ancient, and the structure reveals the work of Romans, Saracens, Crusaders, Turks, and Arabs. Hunin has not been identified with any biblical spot, though Doctor Robinson thinks it may have been the Beth-rehob mentioned in the eighteenth chapter of Judges.
From Hunin they went down and down a long distance to the Plain of Huleh, and finally reached their halting-place; it bears the modern name of Tell el-Kady ("the Hill of the Judge"), and is undoubtedly the site of Dan, frequently mentioned in the Bible.
"From Dan to Beersheba," said Fred, as he slid from his saddle to the ground. "What is the meaning of that phrase which everybody knows?"
"This was the most northern town of the Israelite kingdom," replied the Doctor, "and Beersheba the most southern. To go from Dan to Beersheba was to go from one end of Palestine to the other, just as we say in America, 'from Maine to California,' or 'from Boston to Brownsville.'"
"Then we are at the northern end of Palestine," said Frank, "and close to the frontier of Syria?"
"Exactly so," was the reply; "and to-morrow we shall bid farewell to what is called the Holy Land. We are only three miles from the boundary, and our camp to-night will be where we can throw a stone from one region into the other."
With this understanding of their position the boys proceeded to examine the site of Dan. While they were doing so the Doctor explained that the word "Dan" in Hebrew means "Judge," which is exactly the signification of the Arabic "Kady." The place is called "the Hill," because it is a hill or mound shaped like the summit of a mountain, and about eighty feet higher than the surrounding plain. It is thought to have been once the crater of a volcano, and its shape certainly justifies that belief. The diameter of the cup or basin on the top of the mound is about half a mile; the whole area is covered with ruins, but they are so overgrown with vines and brush that an examination is difficult.