"Perhaps I may as well say here that if we followed the latter we would return to Jaffa and take steamer for Beyroot. There we land, and proceed by carriage-road to Damascus, and when we have done with that famous city we go back to Beyroot the way we came, and are through with Syria. I had thought of taking the short route, but as we are now well accustomed to the ways of travel, and have proved our abilities to endure the severities of a winter storm, I am inclined to the long one. Our American companions have left the whole arrangements in my hands, and I have decided that we will go through to Damascus by the overland way." Frank asked how much time they would take on the journey. "The ordinary time consumed in it," the Doctor answered, "is seventeen days; it may be extended as much as we choose, since we hire the dragoman by the day, and he is to provide us with everything; and it may be shortened three or four days. I have arranged that he is to get us through in fourteen or fifteen days, and he will do so if we are not delayed by storms or accidents. "The best time of the year for this journey is in spring, between 'the early and the latter rain' which the Bible mentions. The country is then in its best condition, the climate is delightful, and the chance of fine weather far better than now. But as we cannot suit the season to ourselves we will run the risk; with stout hearts and plenty of water-proof clothing we ought to go through without difficulty."[8] [8] The author begs to inform the reader that the incident of the storm between Jericho and Jerusalem was his own experience in a visit to the Holy Land. He did not make the overland journey between Jerusalem and Damascus, and consequently the description of the route followed by Frank and Fred is not given from personal observation. The afternoon was devoted to making a few purchases of articles likely to be needed on the journey, the completion of letters, and a few sights that had not been made during the first visit to the city. Doctor Bronson engaged a trusty man, who was recommended by the consul, to go to Jaffa and take the baggage of the party to Beyroot, where he would deliver it to the proprietor of the hotel to await their arrival. This was thought to be safer than ordering it sent forward as ordinary freight, and trusting to the agents of the steamer to deliver it. Steamship agents in the Levant are not worthy of the fullest confidence, as the writer of this book can bear witness. Travellers are advised to look carefully after their own affairs, and be wary of the oleaginous tongues of those from whom they purchase tickets.