on a much more mountainous region. The
heat very great; we literally panted for a breath of wind. The
Bedouins begged handkerchiefs to cover their heads, and often
cast themselves under a bush for shade. Towards sunset, we came
down on the old ruins of Rhinoculura, now buried in the sand; and
soon after our camels kneeled down at the gates of El Arish, the
last town on the Egyptian frontier. 31.--We spent in El Arish,
being unable to get fresh camels. We bought a sheep for five
shillings; drank freely of their delightful water,--what a
blessing after the desert! Found out the river of Egypt, the
boundary of Judah mentioned in the Bible, quite dry. _June
1._--Visited the school,--a curiosity: all the children sit
cross-legged on the floor, rocking to and fro, repeating
something in Arabic. We had a curious interview with the
governor, sitting in the gate in the ancient manner. We are quite
expert now at taking off our shoes and sitting in the Eastern
mode. Smoking, and coffee in very small cups, are the constant
accompaniments of these visits. Left the same evening, and did
not reach Sheikh Juidhe, in the land of the Philistines, till the
sun was nearly bursting into view. 2.--Spent a happy Sabbath
here; sung 'In Judah's land God is well known.' Singing praises
in our tents is very sweet, they are so frail, like our mortal
bodies; they rise easily into the ears of our present Father. Our
journey through the land of the Philistines was truly pleasant.
3.--We went through a fine pasture country; immense straths;
flocks of sheep and goats, and asses and camels, often came in
sight. This is the very way up out of Egypt, little changed from
the day that the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, and Joseph
and Mary carried down the babe from the anger of Herod. Little
changed, did I say? it is all changed; no more is there one brook
of water. Every river of Egypt,--Wady Gaza, Eshcol, Sorek,--every
brook we crossed, was dried up; not a drop of water. The land is
changed; no more is it the rich land of Philistia. The sand
struggles with the grass for mastery. The cities are
changed,--where are they? The people are changed: no more the
bold Philistines,--no more the children of Simeon,--no more Isaac
and his herdsmen,--no more David and his horsemen; but miserable
Arab shepherds,--simple people, without ideas,--poor degra