used to Eastern ways, I was forced to accept the compliment paid to the
highest rank, and a great compliment to me as a Christian, to hold the
boy in my arms whilst the ceremony was being performed. It was rather
curious at first to be asked to a circumcision, as one might be asked
to a christening in England or a "small and early."

For the first three months of my life at Damascus I only indulged in
short excursions, but Richard went away on longer expeditions, often for
days, sometimes on business and sometimes to visit the Druze chiefs. I
have said that our house was about a quarter of an hour from Damascus,
and whilst Richard was away on one of these expeditions I broke through
a stupid rule. It was agreed that I could never dine out or go to a
_soiree_ in Damascus, because after sunset the roads between Damascus and
our house on the hillside were infested with Kurds. I was tired of being
"gated" in this way, so I sent to the Chief of Police, and told him I
intended to dine out when I chose and where I chose, and to return at
all hours--any hours I pleased. He looked astonished, so I gave him a
present. He looked cheerful, and I then told him to make it his business
that I was never to be attacked or molested. I showed him my revolver,
and said, "I will shoot the first man who comes within five yards of me
or my horse." I went down twice to Damascus while Richard was away the
first time, and I found all the gates of the city open and men posted
with lanterns everywhere. I took an escort of four of my servants, and
I told them plainly that the first man who ran away I would shoot from
behind. I came back one night at eleven o'clock, and another at two
o'clock in the morning, and nothing happened.

When I knew that Richard was coming back from the desert, I rode out to
meet him about eight miles. I did not meet him until sunset. He said
he knew a short cut to Damascus across the mountains, but we lost our