The chief hatred was between the Moslems
and the Christians, and the Jews were fond of stirring up strife between
them, because they reaped the benefit of the riot and anarchy. It
appeared that the slaughter day was expected on August 27--on the
morrow. It had been so timed. All the chief authorities were absent
from Damascus, as well as the Consuls, and therefore there would be
nobody to interfere and nobody to be made responsible. We only got
notice on the night before, the 26th. Richard and I made our plans
and arrangements in ten minutes, and then saddled the horses and cleaned
the weapons. Richard would not take me to Damascus, however, because,
as he said, he intended to protect Damascus, and he wanted me to protect
Bludan and Zebedani. The feeling that I had something to do took away
all that remained of my fever. In the night I accompanied Richard down
the mountain. He took half the men, and left me half. When we got
into the plain, we shook hands like two brothers, and parted, though
it might have been that we should never see one another again. There
were not tears, nor any display of affection, for emotion might have
cost us dear.
Richard rode into Damascus, put up his horse, and got to business.
When he stated what he had heard, the local authorities affected to be
surprised; but he said to them, "I must telegraph to Constantinople
unless measures are taken at once." This had the desired effect, and
they said, "What will you have us do?" He said, "I would have you post
a guard of soldiers in every street, and order a patrol at night.
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