Bethel was a poor village on a hill; the people were half naked, hungry looking creatures, and it seemed to me that all the men and boys of the village had made it a point to be in the ruins of the church that day. My luncheon was not enjoyed, for the sight of those hungry people took away my appetite. The dragoman did not offer them anything, for no doubt he decided it was utterly impossible to furnish food for hungry tourists and a village full of people besides. A bone was thrown to a dog which stood looking on; but the poor fellow lost it, for a gray-bearded Arab caught the animal, took it from him, and without one bit of embarrassment undertook the task of gnawing that bone himself. The dog showed signs of resentment, but no account was kept of that, so the bone was never returned. The people there are a lazy set, and they almost starve. No attention is paid to farming or gardening, consequently food is scarce and clothing scant. I never waste sympathy on full-grown lazy people; but the poor, half-starved looking children and dogs I felt sorry for. After resting a while at this place the order was given to move on, and very soon after we were on the road traveling wearily along. My horse was a very gentle animal, and I had a kindly feeling in my heart for him. Horses in that country get along without a name; but I proposed _my_ faithful friend should have one, so I called him “John.” He was not a beautiful animal; oh, no! Really, he was the ugliest animal in the company; but I didn’t care. His ears were short—looked as though they had been nipped with frost; then, in addition to that, they had slits cut in them—a distinguishing mark which his master had given him—and I, like his master, could always tell John from all the other horses. If by accident some one had taken him, I was sure to be unhappy till he was returned. John and I got along real well. He didn’t care to trot along briskly, and I was very willing to let him do as he pleased in the matter. Well, to tell the truth, children, I was cowardly, and fast riding made me feel as though I was going to fall right off. Now, I hadn’t one bit of a desire to get off of John’s back suddenly, and the very thought of such a thing scared me; so we moved along in a lazy sort of a way. Occasionally a servant thought he would put some life in John by using a club; but I allowed no interference. We suited each other exactly, and I’m quite sure John missed me when the last day’s ride was ended.