CHAPTER XI.
FROM NABLÛS TO JERUSALEM.
I woke early on the following morning, Friday, March 7th, with an unusual sense of oppression and sudden fear, as if I had some very sad or difficult task to perform that day. The packed portmanteaus and the riding-habit, in readiness by my side, instantly brought to my recollection the plans for my journey to Jerusalem — a journey of about thirteen hours, and generally made in two stages, but which I had determined to accomplish in one, as there is not a good halting-place on the road, nor any village in which I should have been willing to seek a night's lodging unless in company with my brother, or in case of absolute necessity.
By the time I was thoroughly aroused my fears had vanished. Mohammed, our faithful Egyptian groom, came tapping at my door to ask for my luggage, and he said, "Be of good cheer, lady, may the day be white to you!" and the kawass of Ody Azam, who stood by the door, said, "If this day be dark to our lady, it will be darkened indeed unto many."
I breakfasted early, but it was half-past eight o'clock before the horses and riders were all ready. Then after taking leave of my good-natured hostess, I mounted and rode through the streets of Nablûs with a few friends, who had arranged to accompany me a short distance on the way. Priest Amran, the Samaritan, who walked by my side, with his hand on the neck of my good horse, exclaimed, "Passover is nigh at hand, and you will not be with us on the mountain — this will be a grief to us, for our hearts had been made glad with the thought that you
