is deep," she spoke truly. It is a circular shaft cut out of the solid rock, and when it was measured a few years ago it was found to be seventy-five feet deep, and yet the true bottom of the well was not then reached on account of the accumulation of mud. Yakûb esh Shellabi, when a boy, was let down into this well, and I have often heard him describe his descent. An account of it was published in a little book called, "Notices of the Modern Samaritans, illustrated by incidents in the life of Yakûb esh Shellabi, gathered from him and translated by Mr. E. T. Rogers"—my brother. I will give the extract which records the circumstance, for I do not suppose that any one living has ever been down that well except Yakûb. He was exactly twelve years old at the time.
"In the year 1841, a Scotch gentleman, named Dr. Wilson, arrived in Nablûs, and made great inquiries for Jacob's Well, and having found out the exact spot, he hired ten strong men and myself to accompany him thither; and in passing through the bazar he purchased four camel ropes. I could not understand all this preparation, but on arriving at the mouth of the well I soon discovered the reason. It appeared that one of the Scotch missionaries[1] had some years ago dropped his Bible into the well, which Dr. Wilson was now so anxious to extricate. The men were soon set to work to remove the huge stones from the mouth of the well, and I was chosen, as being of light weight, to be lowered down for the search.
"I was much afraid at first; however, I consented, upon some consolatory words, and pecuniary persuasion, and a promise to take me to England made by Dr. Wilson. The rope was therefore tied round my waist, and I swung round—having no means of steadying myself—till I was quite giddy and faint from the impurity of the air. The four camel ropes were joined together, and still I had not reached the bottom; two shawls, which composed the turbans of two Samaritans who were with us, were then tied to the
- ↑ The Rev. Andrew Bonar, of Callace.
