the house, or some highly honoured guest,
would have slept in this room, and when
Superintendent pointed it out to the
family, they half allowed that the sheik had
been there. The house and the out-houses,
and even women's apartments, were
searched by Superintendent personally,
but he did not allow any followers to do
so, and took care to spare the feelings of
the women as much as possible. However,
he very soon saw that it was of no use, and
that the bird had flown.

In the East, when force is insufficient,
diplomacy and management are the only
resources by which an end can be worked
out. Superintendent, therefore, mounted
again, and with his followers proceeded to
the Greek-Catholic Monastery of Mar
Gerius, which was about a couple of miles
off, and asked the Reice, or superior, for
hospitality for self and followers: a
request most readily granted. Superintendent
had often been before at the
Monastery of Mar Gerius, and knew the
superior well. He was received with great
cordiality, coffee and pipes were ordered,
and after about an hour of talk, chiefly
complimentary, Superintendent was left to
take a sleep before the mid-day meal.

After the evening meal—if you want to
succeed among Orientals, you must never
show yourself to be in a hurry—
Superintendent asked the superior to speak with
him in private, and told him in confidence
the object he had in view. The monks of
Mar Gerius are extensive landowners, and
as they had always lived on good terms
with their Druse neighbours, Superintendent
felt sure that through the chief of
the community a message might be made
to reach Sheik Hassein, whose hiding-place
must be known to some of his relatives
and friends. What he asked the superior
to cause to be conveyed to the sheik was a
verbal message, asking him for a meeting
next day when and where he liked;
proposing that both come unarmed, and each
with one unarmed follower; and pledging
the word of an Englishman not to use any
deceit nor to attempt to seize the sheik,
who, after needful conversation, would be
free to go where he liked.

At daybreak next morning came a return
message from the sheik, saying that if
Superintendent only gave his word to the
bearer that he, the sheik, should not be
molested for twenty-four hours, he would
meet Superintendent in his own house,
at any hour he named; that he was sure
the old friendship between them had not
diminished, and that he begged Superintendent
would come armed, and with his
usual number of followers.

The meeting came off at noon. The
sheik came outside his house, and Superintendent
was sorry to see how much anxiety
and exposure seemed to have affected his
health. He seemed to be prematurely
old. At this time he had been hunted all
over the mountain for nearly a twelve-
month, and it was owing to the great
fidelity of his people that he had not been
caught. But the politeness and courtesy
which seem born with Syrians of all classes
had not abandoned him, and he bade
Superintendent welcome, and ushered him
to the divan with manners that many a
European gentleman might envy.

Lemonade, sweetmeats, coffee, and water
pipes were served with the usual formalities;
after nearly an hour's conversation
respecting the crops, the weather, and the
last news from Constantinople, Superintendent
opened what he had to say to the
sheik. He told the sheik that Lebanon
was now at peace; that the pasha would
not allow the Druses to make war on the
Christians, nor the Christians upon the
Druses; that he was the only Druse sheik
who had taken part in the late civil war,
and was yet at large; and that if he would
but trust in the pasha, and come to
surrender himself, Superintendent was quite
sure the utmost he would have to endure
would be a few weeks' nominal detention at
Btedeen, and would then return to his own
village with honour.

Eastern like, the sheik tried hard to
strike what might be called a one-sided
bargain. "Would Superintendent
guarantee and give his word of honour that
he would be at liberty in a few weeks to
return to his village?"

"No; for that would be usurping the
power of his excellency the pasha.
Superintendent would guarantee that he should
not be deprived of his arms, and that
when at Btedeen he should not be cast
into prison, but should be Superintendent's
guest. At the same time Superintendent
could tell him privately that the pasha was
well disposed towards him, and that his
punishment would be merely nominal."

The matter was discussed for upwards
of two hours. Sometimes the sheik seemed
disposed to go with Superintendent; then
again he would change his mind and say
he would not go on any account. After
the fashion of the country, two or three of
lis more intimate followers took part in