Finding this
process of bathing to be so difficult, I inquired as to the practice
of the pilgrims. I found that with them, bathing in Jordan has come
to be much the same as baptism has with us. It does not mean
immersion. No doubt they do take off their shoes and stockings; but
they do not strip, and go bodily into the water.
As soon as I was dressed I found that Smith was again at my side
with purse and pistols. We then went up a little above the wood,
and sat down together on the long sandy grass. It was now quite
evening, so that the short Syrian twilight had commenced, and the
sun was no longer hot in the heavens. It would be night as we rode
on to the tents at Jericho; but there was no difficulty as to the
way, and therefore we did not hurry the horses, who were feeding on
the grass. We sat down together on a spot from which we could see
the stream,--close together, so that when I stretched myself out in
my weariness, as I did before we started, my head rested on his
legs. Ah, me! one does not take such liberties with new friends in
England. It was a place which led one on to some special thoughts.
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