or sandy—and they vary from one to three inches in length. I think that they must be of the kind called "Cancer Volans." They make holes in the sand, near the sea, and seem very timid when disturbed. They sometimes, however, resent interference. I have seen our gazelle-hound, "Risheh," amuse himself by running after them, tormenting them as a cat does a mouse, or peering into their burrows. When they had an opportunity, they used to cling to his long, delicate nose or lip, and he had some difficulty in shaking them off; but I never saw him destroy or injure one in any way. Fishermen use these crabs for bait, and make traps for them in the sand, in imitation of their burrows.
There were many friends to greet us as we entered the gate of Hâifa; for it was the hour of sunset, when people flock into town after an evening stroll. There was the Mutsellim, surrounded by his suite, walking slowly, with his silver and coral rosary in his hand, and his pipe-bearer by his side. A little group of Jews were there too, some wearing broad-brimmed hats and long gabardines, others with dark shawl-turbans and short cloth or silk pelisses lined with fur. Apart from these were companies of quite unrecognizable women, shrouded in white sheets from head to foot. They looked like moving pillars, for they took such short steps, scarcely lifting their feet from the ground, that their progress should be called gliding instead of walking. Even their little children seemed unnaturally demure and stately.
Short, sturdy-looking oxen, fat sheep, with long, broad, heavy tails, and black, glossy-haired goats, led by the herdsmen, were returning from the pleasant but unprotected pastures to seek shelter within the town walls for the night. The Christians were at the same time entering in at the opposite gate; for they almost always walk toward the western hills and plains—perhaps because their cemeteries are west of the town; while the Moslems prefer the eastern suburbs, where they bury their dead.
