and other traces of human art, extending for about half a mile along the hill-side. We did not see any sculptures or inscriptions. Our guide could not tell us any thing about the place. He said it was called "El Khirbeh," "The Ruin." A shepherd whom we saw seated on the edge or parapet of an ancient cistern gave us the same unsatisfactory answer. We descended into a broad plain, where thorns and thistles flourished. Lilies of the valley, the first I had seen, and a great variety of the orchis tribe grew among them. The gnat and bee orchis were beautifully developed. Hundreds of tiny birds were disturbed by our approach, and flew out of their nests in the low bushes, chirruping and singing. We gathered wild thyme, and gladly ate it with the bread which we had brought from Hâifa, for the morning air had sharpened our appetites. Lizards ran over the white rocks, and a hare now and then darted across our path.
As we rode onward my brother carefully explained to me the difficulties attending the government of the Jebel Nablûs district, which we were then approaching. He said, "The town of Nablûs, the seat of government, contains about twelve thousand inhabitants. Of these only three hundred are Christians, fifty are Jews, and nearly two hundred are Samaritans. The rest are Moslems of the most fierce and fanatical class.
"In the surrounding mountains there are four great factions always at enmity with each other. They are, first, the Abdul Hady family, whose head-quarters are at Arrabeh; and, second, the Jerrars, who possess a fortress at Senûr. They each sprang from the peasantry, and have a large number of followers in almost every village in the district. Third. The Tokan tribe, which has great influence among kindred tribes in the eastern desert. Fourth. The Rayan, who are of Bedouin origin, and very powerful; they congregate west of Nablûs. From one of these great rival factions, the governor of Nablûs is generally chosen, and duly appointed by the Pasha of Jerusalem.
